EC Midday Briefing 24.02.2026

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 European Commission Midday Press Briefing 24.02.2026

Daily News & VOD

 Announcements

 

  • 4th anniversary of RU’s full scale invasion of UA. Joint statement from VdL, Costa and Metsola. VdL is in Kyiv today. Press conference w/ VdL, Costa and Zelensky this afternoon.
  • President’s agenda: Thursday afternoon, back from UA, VdL will receive EE, LV and LT PMs in the Berlaymont.
  • College meeting will exceptionally take place on Thursday. Debate on 28th Regime, AKA EU Inc. Adoption of new agenda to prevent and counter terrorism. Adoption of proposal for directive on combating firearms trafficking and other related offences. EVP Virkkunen and Commissioner Brunner will hold the college readout and present the agenda and proposal in the press room after the college meeting.
  • Commissioners to adopt common response to the ECI “My Voice, My Choice”. EVP Mînzatu and Commissioner Lahbib will present it in the VIP corner at 3:45 on Thursday.
  • General Affairs Council meeting today in BXL. Commissioners Šefčovič and McGrath will represent the EC, exchanging with ministers regarding preparations for EUCO on 19th&20th of March. McGrath will discuss strengthening European cooperation in order to counter nonviolent extremism, foreign influence and online radicalisation. Also will discuss creation of 28th regime/EU Inc.
  • General Affairs Council also marks the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. Ministers will exchange views. The centre, which is an initiative of the European Democracy Shield, will help counter threats to democracy. Press conference with McGrath at roughly 2:15.

 

Q&A

 

EU-SWITZERLAND RELATIONS - Ongoing negotiations

Will EU-CH agreement be signed next week (2-March) in BXL?

  • One step left. Official confirmation likely tomorrow. Cannot confirm yet.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS / GOVERNANCE - Outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council / Financial support to UA / RU frozen assets / HU / Treaties reform

HU blocked UA loan. How are you trying to persuade HU and SK to change their minds? What is your plan if you don’t succeed with Druzhba?

  • We would have liked to approve the €90bn loan to UA today as it was agreed at the highest level at EUCO last December. One of those leaders is not honouring the commitment. We are working to ensure they will.
  • The EU has given over €200bn to UA over 4 years, approved 19 sanction packages with unanimous support from 27 MS. We remain committed.

What is Plan B? Could you use RU frozen assets, as HRVP Kallas hinted yesterday?

  • For now, we are trying to abide by the commitment that was made at EUCO.
  • Today there will be a press conference with VdL.

With HU impeding decisions due to unanimity requirement, are our decision-making rules fit for purpose?

  • We know the challenges of unanimity. We have been working with them successfully for many years. We follow the rules of the treaty. We had unanimity of 27 MS 19 times for UA. We remain confident.

The EU discussed changing rules reforming treaties and institutions to prepare for enlargement. Has there been progress?

  • Such discussions are underway in relation to UA. Cannot speak on next steps.

 

TRADE - United States / Tariffs / EU-U.S. Joint Statement of August 2025

Custom tariffs from US entered into force today. Is the joint statement obsolete now? Will it be updated?

  • US Supreme Court ruling last week. Most favoured nation clause added to 10% customs tariff at 06:01 am this morning. Commissioner Šefčovič met with EP and the ambassadors in COREPER to discuss situation. EU institutions expect clarity from the US. We must know the tariffs’ scope and length of applications. Šefčovič in contact with US Trade Secretary, Ambassador Greer and Trade Secretary Lutnick to get clarity. We want predictability and stability.

Any sign the situation will change soon? When will you assess the current tariffs?

Did you not get clarification during the G7 trade ministers meeting?

  • The issue of tariffs and the Supreme Court decision was brought up in the G7 context, as other G7 partners seek the same clarity.

In the deal, the US agreed to ensure pharmaceutical exports were included in the 15% tariff ceiling. Has that changed? Will new tariffs go against the agreement?

  • That is part of the clarifications we are seeking. We expect whatever was covered by the July 2025 deal to stay covered.

Is the EC asking for clarity on whether the Trump administration will respect the Supreme Court’s ruling?

  • This is part of what we want clarified.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Moldova

Is the EC following the arrests in MD for fraud involving European funds for infrastructure projects? Will this affect EU support for MD?

  • It is for Moldovan authorities to investigate and follow up. No info yet.

 

ENERGY - Druzhba pipeline / Security of oil supply / UA / HU / SK / Import of RU oil / Oil coordination group

Yesterday, the SK Minister of Economy said deliveries through Druzhba pipeline could resume on 25-Feb. Have you heard? What is the latest?

  • The oil coordination group will meet tomorrow at 10 to take stock. No MS is suffering from any supply emergencies. Energy is being received in UA. SK andHU have oil reserves. EC Pres is now in Kyiv with Energy CommissionerJørgensen. There may be more discussion there.

 

DIGITAL AFFAIRS - Upcoming hearing of former Commissioner Breton in a EPCommittee / U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on former Commissioner Breton

Will the former Commissioner Breton also see the EC legal service to agree on a defence line? He’s been banned from traveling to the US.

  • We are not involved in the EP committee meeting.
  • An EC statement from 23-Dec denounced the US decision. The College adopted a decision to provide Breton with financial support.
  • EEAS has been in contact with US authorities to address situation.

Has there been an orientation debate within the College about the risk of being singled out? Does this set a worrying precedent?

  • There has been no set discussion on possible singling-out. But members of the College expect to carry out their duties without the risk of suffering negative consequences.

Former-Commissioner Breton will join the EP via video conference. Latest news?

  • It is better to ask the EP for further details.

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