11 things to watch at the EU leaders’ summit – POLITICO

Slovak PM Robert Fico threatened to block the latest sanctions package if the EU didn’t come up with a plan to help his country’s struggling automotive sector first. | Marco Tacca/Getty Images

This summit will see leaders call for that work to be “intensified … as a matter of priority,” according to draft conclusions (and for Europe’s mainstream politicians facing a surging far right, it certainly is a priority). But a Commission official told POLITICO no real breakthrough is expected on Thursday.

11. And finally … another day of talks.

When he took up his role, Costa pledged to make European Councils one-day affairs, and not to let them drag over into two.

So far, he’s been successful. But with some officials already expecting talks to go late into the night, this time that could be a tall ask.

Gabriel Gavin, Hanne Cokelaere, Zia Weise, Louise Guillot, Camille Gijs, Gregorio Sorgi, Jacopo Barigazzi and Jordyn Dahl contributed to this report.