Leaders from across the European Union convened on Thursday to address surging oil and gas prices triggered by escalating conflict across key energy-producing regions and shipping routes in the Middle East.
The summit, held under the European Council, comes amid mounting economic pressure across member states as energy costs spike due to instability affecting global supply chains, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Despite repeated calls from Donald Trump for European nations to deploy military assets to help secure the waterway, many EU leaders have resisted direct involvement. Instead, they are prioritizing economic and diplomatic responses to mitigate the fallout from the ongoing conflict.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned that the bloc faces serious risks if elevated energy prices persist. “We are very worried about the energy crisis,” he said, noting that costs were already high before the conflict and have now surged further. “If that becomes structural, we’re in deep trouble.”
The European Commission has proposed a range of financial tools that member states could use to ease pressure on households and businesses, though officials acknowledge that no single measure is likely to offset the widespread economic impact across diverse markets from Eastern to Western Europe.
European leaders have also struggled to form a unified stance on the broader conflict involving Iran and Lebanon. While many have criticized Tehran’s government, they have stopped short of offering military support.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the conflict as one initiated by the United States and Israel, acknowledging concerns about Iran’s regional influence while emphasizing that Europe is not directly involved. He instead called for increased sanctions and greater support for opposition groups.
As fears grow over prolonged energy disruption and the potential for a renewed refugee crisis, the EU’s latest summit underscores the bloc’s challenge of balancing economic stability, geopolitical caution, and internal unity in the face of escalating global tensions.
