00:00EU leaders are preparing to meet in Brussels on Thursday for a two-day summit, with energy
00:05prices, the long-term budget and Ukraine at the top of the agenda.
00:09The meeting will start early on Thursday with an anticipated discussion on energy prices,
00:15which hostilities in the Middle East have sent skyrocketing.
00:19EU leaders are under mounting pressure to deliver tangible relief for households and
00:25industries, especially as temperature starts to drop ahead of winter.
00:30The summit's most contentious moment will arrive on Thursday afternoon with a presentation
00:35of the EU budget.
00:36Ireland has tabled an unpopular proposal to cut the next seven-year budget by 141 billion euros.
00:44The so-called frugal countries want deeper cuts, while other member states say the cuts
00:49already go too far.
00:51Council President Antonio Costa wants a deal by the end of the year.
00:56On Friday, leaders turned to Ukraine, with President Zelenskyy attending.
01:01European leaders have in recent days expressed regret over Washington's decision to cut a
01:06controversial diesel deal with Russia.
01:09They are expected to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine at a time when Russia is escalating
01:14its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure ahead of the winter.
