More than 40 leaders and guests gathered in the Irish capital on Thursday for a European Political Community summit focused on the war in Ukraine, regional security threats and protecting critical infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended alongside European and international partners.
Held under the theme “Europe — strong, secure, and connected,” the summit’s agenda includes continued support for Ukraine, strengthening economic resilience and addressing hybrid threats and efforts to undermine democratic institutions. Discussions also cover innovation and closer connections across the continent.
The gathering comes as renewed diplomatic efforts seek an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Leaders are examining Europe’s security responsibilities and the protection of essential infrastructure amid concerns about disruptive attacks and other threats. Recent hoax bomb alerts targeting airlines and media organisations have added to those concerns, although responsibility has not been formally established.
Established in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Political Community brings together EU and non-EU countries for strategic dialogue. Its meetings provide an informal setting for coordination rather than a mechanism for binding decisions.
Ireland mounted an extensive security operation for what authorities described as the country’s largest gathering of international leaders. The summit will be followed on Friday by an informal meeting of EU leaders, with artificial intelligence, European competitiveness and developments in Ukraine on the agenda.
