In a year where the world became more volatile and fragmented, the European Union assumed more responsibility for its own security and stepped up efforts to boost its defence and preparedness. It continued to deliver for citizens and businesses, creating more opportunities and consolidating individual rights. These are just some of the findings of the General report on the activities of the EU in 2025.
Defence and security were high on the agenda. The EU increased its efforts to protect citizens and ensure that Europe has the means to maintain peace through credible deterrence. With the Readiness 2030 package, it launched the most significant surge in European defence investment in its history. In parallel, the EU set out a new Preparedness Union Strategy.
As in the previous three years, the EU continued to provide political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine and its people. It imposed sanctions to limit Russia’ ability to finance its war and by the end of 2025, the EU, along with EU countries, had provided €193.3 billion since the beginning of the war. At the same time, it advanced Ukraine’s path towards EU membership.
Closer to home, it worked tirelessly on strengthening its industrial base, accelerating the clean and digital transitions and deepening the single market.
Other main actions in 2025 included:
Competitiveness
- Guided by the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal, the EU worked to close the innovation gap, reduce dependencies, and align climate ambition and economic growth.
- The European Commission proposed a single market strategy to make it easier to do business in the EU.
- The EU introduced new initiatives to cut red tape, modernise taxation and support fair competition.
- To help drive long-term competitiveness, the EU made strategic investments in clean technologies, digital innovation and critical raw materials.
Agriculture
- The EU continued its work to ensure that farming remains a core part of the European way of life, while also acting on climate change to ensure food and water security.
Science and innovation
- The EU launched the Choose Europe campaign to make Europe the best place in the world for science and research.
Global stage
- The EU, together with EU countries, remained at the forefront of natural disaster and conflict relief efforts and was the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid.
In 2025, the EU also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. Presented by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950, the declaration proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor of today’s EU.
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