Lorraine Williamson
Europe must think bigger if it wants to shape its own future. That was the message from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as EU leaders gathered in Brussels for a European Council meeting focused on budgets, geopolitics, and the bloc’s global role.
Speaking after talks with the heads of state and government of all 27 member states, Sánchez argued that the European Union can no longer afford half-measures in an increasingly unstable international landscape. Unity, political coherence, and decisive action, he said, are now essential to protect European interests and values.
Pushing for EU spending at 2% of GDP
At the heart of Spain’s position was a call for significantly more ambitious European budgets. Sánchez backed proposals for EU spending to reach 2% of member states’ combined GDP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, covering the years 2028 to 2034.
He framed the debate in practical terms. Stronger EU finances, he argued, are not abstract Brussels ambitions but tools that directly affect citizens’ lives. Investment at this scale would allow Europe to develop shared public goods, accelerate innovation, strengthen social and territorial cohesion, and reinforce the EU’s social pillar, including housing policy.
The message reflects a broader shift in EU thinking, as security, energy, and industrial policy increasingly demand collective solutions rather than national ones.
Ukraine: joint debt and frozen Russian assets
Support for Ukraine was another central issue. Sánchez confirmed agreement among the 27 member states on an urgent €90 billion loan package for Kyiv over the next two years.
The funding will be raised through joint EU debt and guaranteed by the EU budget, underlining a continued move towards shared financial responsibility in times of crisis. Sánchez also highlighted a recent decision to permanently immobilise Russian state assets, which could form the basis of future reparations.
During the Council, Sánchez held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reaffirming Spain’s commitment to sustained financial support. He framed the issue as both a moral obligation and a defence of international law.
Zelenskyy and Sanchez stand before Picasso´s Guernica
Trade, competitiveness and Mercosur
Economic competitiveness featured heavily in the discussions, particularly the long-awaited EU–Mercosur trade agreement. Sánchez strongly defended the deal, describing it as a route to creating the world’s largest free trade area.
He urged member states to look beyond domestic political pressures and consider the wider European interest. For small and medium-sized enterprises, he argued, the agreement offers access to new markets and long-term growth opportunities at a time when global trade is becoming more fragmented.
Green Deal, Mediterranean strategy and the Atlantic axis
Sánchez also pushed back against attempts to dilute the European Green Deal, calling it a cornerstone of Europe’s competitiveness rather than a burden. In his view, climate leadership and economic strength are increasingly inseparable.
Spain also succeeded in placing regional priorities on the agenda. At Madrid’s initiative, Council conclusions included renewed momentum for a New Pact for the Mediterranean and plans for an Atlantic Macro-Region Strategy. Backed by Spain, France, Portugal, and Ireland, the initiative aims to improve infrastructure, connectivity, and investment across Europe’s Atlantic coastline.
Spain auto 2030 plan
Palestine and the defence of international norms
On the Middle East, Sánchez called for a more active EU role in sustaining peace and ensuring the involvement of the Palestinian Authority in any political process. He condemned the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and urged faster, larger-scale delivery of humanitarian aid.
His intervention aligns Spain with a group of EU states pressing for clearer European engagement as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
Digital sovereignty and the fight against disinformation
At Spain’s request, the Council also debated the growing influence of disinformation and powerful technology interests on democratic systems. Sánchez warned against the unchecked power of what he described as “tech oligarchs”.
Europe’s digital sovereignty, he insisted, is non-negotiable. He called on the EU to use its regulatory authority to hold platforms accountable and to protect safe, democratic spaces for public debate.
A broader signal from Spain
Taken together, Sánchez’s interventions point to a consistent message: Spain wants a more assertive, better-funded European Union that is open to trade, firm on values and capable of acting strategically on the world stage.
As debates over the EU’s next long-term budget intensify, Madrid is positioning itself firmly among those arguing that Europe’s ambitions must finally be matched by its resources.
Source: