“New challenges bring new obligations”, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, wrote to the 27 leaders who are expected to meet in Brussels for the two-day summit. “The revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework has proceeded intensively and unabatedly. I have taken good note of all your concerns and priorities and have put forward a proposal that seeks to reconcile the differing positions around the table. As with any compromise solution, I appeal to your readiness to build compromise for the sake of unity”. On security and defence, “we will continue implementing our ambition of building a stronger geopolitical union”. Developments in the Middle East “will also be a prominent item on our agenda. We must call for all hostages to be released and vigorously address the alarming humanitarian situation in Gaza. We have to be strong in supporting Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself against Hamas, as well as in unequivocally defending international law and international humanitarian law. Our broader reflection will include working towards security and stability in the region and prospects for lasting peace based on the two-state solution”. Michel added: “we should also address all forms of hate, antisemitism, intolerance, racism and xenophobia, including anti-Muslim hatred”. Finally, “a pivotal European Council lies ahead of us. Now is the time for decision-making. I call on you all to come equipped with a spirit of compromise, a sense of collective responsibility, with the Union’s interests and values at the forefront”.