Does the EU have what it takes to go it alone?  

That question will be hanging in the air as leaders of the 27 EU countries gather in Brussels to talk economic and security challenges.

The European Council meeting comes fresh off the back of Wednesday’s NATO summit, where 32 allied countries committed to a defense spending target of 5 percent of GDP by 2035.

Against the backdrop of Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine, increasing instability in the Middle East and continuing doubts over U.S. commitment to transatlantic security, leaders will discuss how spending commitments will translate into boosting the bloc’s military capabilities and autonomy on the world stage.

Also on the agenda: deepening the single market to shore up the bloc’s competitiveness; the question of enlargement and accession for Ukraine and Moldova.

POLITICO’s reporters are on site to bring you the news from the summit, as it happens.