EU Council President Demands Gaza Ceasefire, Pledges Unwavering Support for Ukraine

António Costa used the UN General Assembly's General Debate to deliver a sweeping defense of the rules-based international order, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a threat to every nation on earth. The address positioned the European Union as the anchor institution for multilateral cooperation at a moment when unilateralism is ascendant.

• EU demands immediate Gaza ceasefire, hostage release, end to illegal settlements, and renewed two-state solution commitment
• Costa warns that accepting Russia's invasion of Ukraine means no country is ever safe, pledges EU support for reconstruction and membership
• EU reaffirms Paris Agreement targets and unveils €300 billion Global Gateway investment program
• Costa calls for global AI governance framework modeled on EU's human-centered regulatory approach
• EU positions itself as largest collective donor to UN system, pledges support for UN reform

Why it matters: The EU is the largest provider of humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Costa's explicit demands — ceasefire, hostage release, end to settlements, two-state solution — signal coordinated European diplomatic pressure on all parties to the conflict at a moment when negotiations remain fragile.