Merz and Macron praise G7 summit as a success

Skip next section US-Iran talks delay raised at sidelines of EU Summit — 'It’s regrettable' June 19, 2026

US-Iran talks delay raised at sidelines of EU Summit — 'It’s regrettable'

"I think it's regrettable. But, given the nature of this scenario, it’s not entirely unexpected,” Ireland’s Prime Minister Michael Martin said upon arriving for the second day of the EU summit in Brussels. “I would urge continued dialogue and adherence to the agreement because the world needs stability and peace.”

Martin's comments come after news broke that the United States and Iran postponed their planned negotiations in Switzerland.

It’s somewhat dulled the general optimism here at the EU summit in Brussels, after the successful G7 summit in Evian. There, they had seized the moment: US President Donald Trump was promised European political support for the newly negotiated Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, whilst they were also able to convince him to increase pressure on Russian President Putin so that peace talks could potentially finally begin over ending the war in Ukraine.

Strategic Stakes for Europe and Ukraine

For the European Union, the stakes go beyond the immediate question of nuclear safeguards and the security of critical shipping routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz .

The G7 summit in Evian showed how closely the conflicts in Iran and in Ukraine are interconnected.

With a solution to the Iran war and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz on the horizon, the tense situation for the global economy could also ease, particularly when it comes to oil prices. This easing, in turn, would allow US President Trump to reinstate oil sanctions against Russia. As he promised in Evian.

The key question for Europe remains: When might a diplomatic window for peace talks with Russia open, and just how might it take shape?

https://p.dw.com/p/5FiF8

Skip next section Germany's Merz objects to bigger EU budget Published June 19, 2026 last updated June 19, 2026

Germany's Merz objects to bigger EU budget

Merz attended the EU meeting after attending the G7 summit in France Image: Marius Burgelman/AP Photo/picture alliance German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is in favor of a smaller proposal for the European Union's next long-term budget for the period from 2028 until 2034.

"The proposal on the table is far too high. The figures need to be reduced," Merz said before talks with other EU leaders on Friday. "A new proposal must be put forward," he said.

The European Commission has proposed a budget of nearly €2 trillion ($2.29 trillion) or 1.26% of the EU's gross national income on average between 2028 and 2034.

But  negotiations are tricky and often meet resistance from leaders who prioritize their own key interests.

Currently, the European Commission is debating a 2% reduction in the proposed budget.

What is the EU's long-term budget?

The  EU's long-term budget is also sometimes referred to as the multiannual financial framework (MFF), as it is called in the EU treaty. It sets limits on how much money the EU can invest over a period of at least five years in different policy areas. Recent long-term budgets have been set for seven years.

One of the reasons the EU has a long-term budget is to make it easier for the beneficiaries of the programs that the EU wants to fund to plan and increase their efficiency.

https://p.dw.com/p/5FhP8

Skip next section Welcome back to our coverage Published June 19, 2026 last updated June 19, 2026

Welcome back to our coverage

Welcome back to our coverage on June 19, with EU leaders set to discuss a contentious topic — the EU budget.

https://p.dw.com/p/5FhJl

Skip next section Pausing coverage of EU summit June 19, 2026

Pausing coverage of EU summit

We'll be pausing our coverage of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels until the bloc's top politicians emerge from their hotel rooms on Friday morning.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Fgbh

Skip next section Leaders discuss economic challenges over dinner June 19, 2026

Leaders discuss economic challenges over dinner

EU leaders met late into the night Thursday and used dinner to discuss some of the global economic challenges, according to an official who briefed reporters.

Leaders agreed that a European response was required to address global macroeconomic imbalances and that this would be based on European unity and dialogue with the bloc's main economic partners.

Leaders discussed the One Europe One Market agenda, which is a roadmap that seeks to advance European competitiveness.

It was determined that the EU needs to continue trade diversification, derisking, reduction of dependencies and reinforcing strategic autonomy.

https://p.dw.com/p/5FgRn

Skip next section Zelenskyy looking for fuel and missiles should war continue into winter June 19, 2026

Zelenskyy looking for fuel and missiles should war continue into winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said hundreds more missiles would be needed if the war with Russia continued into anothe…