French poll puts far-right National Rally in clear lead at 36% – Europe live

Back here at the EU leaders’ summit, the focus of the discussion is the Middle East.

After meeting with EU leaders, the Ukrainian president headed over to Nato.

“The key focus was on preparations for the NATO Washington Summit. We expect decisions to enhance the Alliance’s role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukrainian troops, as well as long-term financial commitments to ensure stable support for Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Where is Orbán’s Fidesz going?

Speculation is intensifying about the plans of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz, which has been unable to join the European Conservatives and Reformists – led by Giorgia Meloni – and is still politically homeless on the European stage.

Asked about reports that Fidesz is seeking to create a grouping together with Robert Fico’s Smer, Andrej Babiš’s ANO and possibly even Poland’s Law and Justice, Balázs Orbán, the prime minister’s political director, said on the sidelines of the summit that he cannot confirm any party names and “at the moment negotiations are ongoing.”

“Our goal is for there to be a right-wing group which opposes this pact that is being sealed now, and which can represent the right-wing sovereignist opinions without compromises.”

Asked if the ECR and far-right Identity and Democracy would not be good for Fidesz, he said: “we don’t want to join.”

Far-right National Rally at 36%, New Popular Front at 29%: poll

Here’s the full text of the joint security commitments agreed between the European Union and Ukraine today.

The European Union and Ukraine share common values, namely democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, as well as shared interests in peace, security, stability and prosperity.

Committed to these common values and interests, and in line with European Council Conclusions and the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of 12 July 2023, the European Union and its Member States will contribute, for the long term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future.

Slovakia’s president, Peter Pellegrini, said he had a “productive good-neighbourly debate” with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Pellegrini is filling in for Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, at the summit.

The Fico government has raised eyebrows in Europe for its rhetoric opposing military aid to Ukraine, as well as moves critics say undermine the rule of law and media freedom.

“We reflected on the recent joint meeting of our countries’ governments and discussed my plans for a full-fledged visit to Ukraine. I assured my Ukrainian counterpart that Slovakia wishes for a soon and just peace for Ukraine,” Pellegrini said.

‘Our support is not a blank check’, socialist leader says

Roberta Metsola, the European parliament president, told reporters at the summit that she does not fear any backsliding on commitments made to Ukraine.

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has hinted at his enthusiasm about a possible strong performance of France’s far-right in Sunday’s election.

But just a few years ago, in 2019, he sounded very different in an interview with Bernard-Henri Lévy in the Atlantic.

“Are you thinking of Marine Le Pen?”

Hearing this, he stiffens, and his laughter disappears.

“Absolutely not! I have nothing at all to do with Madame Le Pen. Nothing.”

“Why not?”

“Because Laurent Wauquiez warned me that she was a red line.”

“Laurent Wauquiez?”

“A friend of mine. I have a lot of friends in France, you know.”

“Such as?”

He gestures as if listing them.

“Nicolas Sarkozy, of course. Jacques Chirac, who has always greeted me very warmly. And Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, a touchstone, whom I try to see whenever I’m in Paris.”

But I come back to Le Pen.

“Do you mean to suggest that if these French friends weren’t cautioning you, you would seek an alliance with Marine Le Pen?”

His response bursts forth without any hesitation.

“No. I would not ally with her even so.”

“Once again, why not?”

“Because she’s not in power.”

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The EU disbursed €1.9 billion under the Ukraine facility “to keep the Ukrainian state running as you fight for freedom,” the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said.

“A lasting & sustainable peace is essential for Europe’s stability. Let’s keep striving towards it,” wrote Malta’s Robert Abela.

“Dear Volodymyr, Ukraine’s future is the European Union,” wrote the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson.