Macron unexpectedly hosts von der Leyen for dinner in Paris on July 22
French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a working dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris on July 22. The meeting was not previously announced and will focus on EU sovereignty and competitiveness.
On Wednesday, July 22, French President Emmanuel Macron will host an unannounced working dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, as confirmed by the French presidency to European Pravda. The dinner, scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM local time, will be closed to the press. According to the Elysee, the leaders will discuss "priorities of the agenda regarding the sovereignty and competitiveness of the European Union." This meeting was not listed in the official schedules of either leader, making it a surprise event. The dinner comes amid recent European initiatives in Paris, including the establishment of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Defense Coalition on Macron's initiative, involving ten European states including Ukraine. This coalition aims to develop Europe's anti-ballistic potential. European Pravda also reported, citing its own sources, that specific Ukrainian and European manufacturers were invited to the founding meeting of the coalition in Paris. Additionally, during von der Leyen's visit to Kyiv, Ukraine and the EU agreed on a new defense partnership and cooperation on drones, with the EU allocating an additional €1 billion for drone procurement.
