During the informal European Council meeting in Versailles on 10-11 March, EU leaders agreed, in a declaration, how the EU can live up to its responsibilities in the new reality with Russia’s war of aggression. They discussed how to protect EU citizens, values, democracies and the European model. They also outlined how the EU can bolster defence capabilities, reduce energy dependencies and build a more robust economic base.

“Russia’s war of aggression constitutes a tectonic shift in European history. […] Confronted with growing instability, strategic competition and security threats, we decided to take more responsibility for our security and take further decisive steps towards building our European sovereignty, reducing our dependencies and designing a new growth and investment model for 2030,” states the Versailles declaration.

The meeting was hosted by the French presidency and chaired by Charles Michel, President of the European Council.

Main results

Russia's aggression against Ukraine

EU leaders stressed that Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine ‘grossly violates international law’ and ‘undermines European and global security and stability’.

EU leaders further stated that ‘Russia, with its accomplice Belarus, bears full responsibility’ and that those responsible would be held accountable, including for indiscriminately targeting civilians.

“We demand that Russia ceases its military action and withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately and unconditionally, and fully respects Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence,” says the statement of the EU heads of state or government on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

EU support to the Ukrainian people and EU relations with Ukraine

EU leaders stated that the EU and its member states would continue to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support, as well as support for the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine.

EU member states offer temporary protection to all war refugees from Ukraine and are committed to continue to show solidarity and provide support to the refugees and the countries hosting them.

EU leaders acknowledged the European aspirations and choice made by Ukraine, as stated in the Association Agreement. They also undertook to further strengthen the bonds and deepen the partnership with Ukraine.

Bolstering defence capabilities

EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to take more responsibility for the EU's own security, pursue a strategic course of action in defence and increase its capacity to act autonomously, building on the December 2021 conclusions. The leaders stressed that continued strong coordination on security and defence with partners and allies is key in this respect, including EU-NATO cooperation and the principles of the Treaties on inclusiveness, reciprocity and decision-making autonomy.

To better protect citizens and equip the EU to face fast-emerging challenges, the EU must boost investment in defence capabilities and innovative technologies. To this end, leaders agreed to:

• substantially increase defence expenditure
• develop further incentives for collaborative investments in joint projects and procurement
• invest in strategic enablers such as cybersecurity and space-based connectivity
• foster synergies between civilian, defence and space research and innovation
• invest in critical and emerging technologies and innovation for security and defence

In parallel, the EU will continue to support partners through foreign policy instruments, notably an enhanced European Peace Facility and the forthcoming Strategic Compass that will provide guidance on how to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider.

Reducing energy dependencies 

EU leaders discussed how to ensure security of energy supplies, in the light of the current situation in Ukraine as well as the 2050 target of climate neutrality.

In this respect, leaders agreed to phase out EU dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports by:

• reducing overall reliance on fossil fuels faster, taking into account national circumstances
• diversifying supplies and routes, including through liquefied natural gas and biogas
• further developing an EU hydrogen market
• accelerating the development of renewables
• improving the interconnection of European electricity and gas networks
• reinforcing EU contingency planning for security of supply
• improving energy efficiency and promoting circularity

EU leaders invited the European Commission to propose, by the end of May 2022, a REPowerEU plan to make the EU independent from Russian fossil fuels. 

In addition, leaders stated that the EU will continue to work on ensuring sufficient levels of gas storage and coordinated refilling operations, monitoring and optimising electricity markets, channelling investments in energy systems and enhancing connectivity in the immediate neighbourhood.

EU leaders called on the Commission to put forward a plan to ensure security of supply and affordable energy prices by the end of March 2022.

EU leaders will consider concrete options to address the impact of increased energy prices on citizens and businesses, especially vulnerable citizens and SMEs, including at the next meeting of the European Council on 24-25 March 2022.

Building a robust economic base

To strengthen European sovereignty and make Europe more fit for the green and digital transitions while leaving no one behind, leaders stated the importance of reducing strategic dependencies in critical sectors. This should be complemented by fostering industrial initiatives and a robust trade policy, and by strengthening EU research and innovation capabilities.

In this respect, leaders identified key areas such as:

• critical raw materials
• semi-conductors
• health
• digital
• food

Leaders stated that the EU will create an environment that facilitates and attracts investments by, among other policies, drastically reforming procedures to authorise investment projects in the EU and creating a simple and predictable regulatory environment, particularly for SMEs.

In addition, leaders stressed the need to create more integrated, attractive and competitive European financial markets, including by deepening the capital markets union and completing the banking union.

More information

Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Versailles, 10-11 March 2022

The Versailles declaration, 10 and 11 March 2022

Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and President Macron following the informal meeting of Heads of State or Government of 10-11 March 2022