Leo Varadkar claims EU has lost credibility globally for stance on Gaza

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told reporters as he was going into an EU summit: “I think the EU has lost credibility because of our inability to take a stronger and more united position on Israel and Palestine.

The EU has lost credibility in most of the world for not taking a stronger stance on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will tell his EU counterparts in Brussels today.

He says Ireland will be pushing “for strong wording on Gaza coming out of the summit; certainly stronger wording than was in place in October” when leaders argued for many hours over the wording of humanitarian pauses or singular pause to allow aid into the besieged population.

Mr Varadkar told reporters as he was going into an EU summit: “I think the EU has lost credibility because of our inability to take a stronger and more united position on Israel and Palestine.

“We’ve lost credibility in the Global South—which actually is most of the world because of what is seen to be double standards—and there’s some truth to that, quite frankly.” 

EU heads of state and governments are meeting for what is expected to be a difficult summit, with Ukraine heavily dominating the agenda.

At stake is the sign off on a €50 billion financial aid package for the government in Kiev. In addition, leaders are due to formalise the beginning of accession negotiations for Ukrainian membership of the EU.

However, Hungarian prime minister Victor Orban has vowed to use his veto to block both items saying he doesn’t believe the time is right for Ukraine to begin accession talks.

The rest of the 26 member states say they will work around the clock to ensure the two priorities are met, with leaders saying they will stay in Brussels for several days if necessary, until the matter is resolved. Billed as two-day meeting, it is expected to drag into Saturday or Sunday.

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“We will have a very important council meeting, and I’m ready to negotiate, I have packed many shirts," said the Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said "if necessary, we will talk until Christmas".

The Taoiseach said Ireland’s position is steadfast in favour of supporting Ukrainian membership which will likely take many years. He said decisions at this summit will have consequences for soldiers fighting on the frontline.

"I know from speaking to president [Zelenskyy] that matters on the frontline. Soldiers have been fighting on the front line for Europe, for Ukraine. This will really count in terms of their morale. So this is a really important meeting.

“If Ukraine doesn’t have support from the EU and the US, then Putin will win.”