President
Charles Michel (2019-2024)

2022 in images

Scroll down to see the key moments from President
Charles Michel's third year in office.

Charles Michel (President of the European Council) and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (President of Ukraine), are shaking hands. A Ukrainian soldiers is standing in the background.

A threat against Ukraine is a threat
against Europe  

26 January 2022

A threat against Ukraine is a threat against Europe. We support a de-escalation through various diplomatic channels. The EU and its partners have shown their solidarity and unity. Any aggression will lead to severe and massive consequences.
President Michel at the press conference in Slovakia, which took place during Russia's military build-up along the border with Ukraine
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Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is with Ukrainian soldiers in Borodyanka, Ukraine. They are standing in front of apartment blocks that have been bombed.
A woman in a red coat is walking on a destroyed bridge in Ukraine carrying a pet crate.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (President of Ukraine) is addressing the European Council in a videoconference. The meeting room of the European Council is in the background.
A collage style photo representing EU sanctions against Russia. There are coins and banknotes next to a barrel of oil. A curved line represents the rise of prices, and a hand is preventing the line from further increasing. There is also a plane and a drone with a stop sign and a slogan saying, ‘swift banned’, and two satellites, representing the ban on Russian media outlets.

25 February 2022

Today we see the devastating reality of full-scale war in Europe. Russia alone is to blame. It will pay a heavy price.
President Michel of the European Council following the Special European Council on Ukraine

A united Europe in solidarity with Ukraine  

23 July 2022

You, the people of Ukraine, are bravely fighting for your freedom. And we support you and your country. Since day one, we stand by you in unity. And with concrete support. And we are right by your side. And will be for as long as it takes.
President Michel at the second summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen on Ukraine and the World
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Charles Michel (President of the European Council) and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (President of Ukraine) are hugging during President Michel's visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. A solider is standing in the background and two men are walking on the pavement.
Ukrainian refugees being welcomed by volunteers in Romania.
People gathered in a pro-Ukraine demonstration in Paris, France. They are holding up signs and flags of Ukraine.
A row of empty pushchairs at a train station in Poland.
Gitanas Nausėda (President of Lithuania) is holding two bracelets the colour of the Ukrainian flag at the special meeting of the European Council on 24 February 2022.

Strategic autonomy in the EU  

11 March 2022

Today, we will define the strategy for a more robust, sovereign and independent Europe, focusing on three key points: energy, geopolitics and defence. We will also pursue technological innovation for a more solid economic base.
President Michel on the Versailles declaration at the informal European Council meeting in Versailles
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EU leaders are standing in front of the Palace of Versailles for a family photo during the informal European Council meeting in Versailles, France.
Two helicopters are taking off from a landing strip during the helicopter exercise 'Black Blade 2016'.
An offshore wind farm with clouds and blue sky, a wind farm in the sea and an aerial view the Flevoland Netherlands Ijsselmeer wind farm.
A researcher is inspecting a data chip through a lightning magnifying glass.

EU-Africa partnership 

17 February 2022

Our two unions beat with the same heart. And we would like them to speak with a single voice as well. If we join forces, our two continents will contribute to making the world fairer, more stable, more resilient and more sustainable.
President Michel at the EU-AU summit
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Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is standing with the staff of the National Commission of Human Rights in Mauritania for a family photo.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is outside walking with Ghana national security coordinators. Behind them is a line of Ghanian flags.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is sitting on the left and Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa) is sitting on the right. Between them, there is a table with two bottles and glasses of water, and the flags of the European Union and of South Africa. Both presidents are smiling.
Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani (President of Mauritania) meeting Charles Michel (President of the European Council) in Nouakchott, Mauritania. They are standing on a red carpet on the beach with their backs to the ocean.

Global diplomacy  

1 April 2022

The EU and China agreed the war in Ukraine is threatening global security and the world's economy. We share a responsibility, as global actors, to work for peace and stability. We call on China to help end this war.
Charles Michel at the EU-China Summit
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Charles Michel (President of the European Council) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. There are historical buildings in the background.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is shaking hands with Xi Jinping (President of China). They are standing in front of a row of EU and China flags.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is attending a roundtable with Saudi women. He is facing the camera and looking at one of the women. The angle of the picture gives the impression that we are sitting next to the woman. She is looking away from the camera at President Michel.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is attending the ASEAN summit gala dinner in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is sitting on a chair facing the stage, where traditional dancers are performing.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is participating in the Central Asia leaders meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. The leaders are sitting in a roundtable formation in a meeting room, with a row of EU flags and the flags of the Central Asian countries in the background.

Preserving food security  

6 June 2022

The Kremlin is using food supplies as a stealth missile against developing countries. This is driving up food prices, pushing people into poverty and destabilising entire regions. Russia is solely responsible for this food crisis. Despite its campaign of lies.
President Michel at the UN Security Council on peace and security in Ukraine
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A local farmer is looking at the remains of his tractor in the Chernihiv area, Ukraine.
The shadow of a helicopter is reflected on a field of wheat in the Kyiv region, Ukraine.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) and Denys Shmyhal (Prime Minister of Ukraine) are inspecting grain in a cargo ship at the Odesa Port, Ukraine.

A close and connected European neighbourhood

23 June 2022

Historic agreement. Historic decision. Today we have decided to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU. Our future is together.
President Michel at the European Council meeting
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European leaders are standing for a family photo at the meeting of the European Political Community in Prague Castle.
From left to right Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, French President Emmanuel Macron, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinya, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, are sitting around a round table. Behind the table are the Azerbaijani, the European, the French and the Armenian flags.
A collage of EU, Moldovan and Ukrainian flags.

23 April 2022

A peaceful South Caucasus that benefits all people living in the region is our objective. The EU will remain engaged and support dialogue.
President Michel, following discussions with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev

Together with like-minded partners  

26 June 2022

The world has changed dramatically and today we all have a special responsibility. The world is watching. Let's take the right decisions, promote our democratic values, and defend international law.
President Michel during the G7 summit
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Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is walking in a room while making a phone call. Behind him are the flags of the G7 countries and the European Union.
There is a flower bed with plants in the foreground spelling out G20. In the background, European leaders are in a line, showing that they made the flower bed themselves. They are all wearing white t-shirts.
The picture shows, from left to right, Charles Michel (President of the European Council), Ursula Von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) and Fumio Kishida (Prime Minister of Japan).
The NATO leaders are sitting in roundtable format during a working session at the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain. In the back, we can distinguish the flags of the NATO countries.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is sitting at a discussion table during the G20 summit. He is facing the camera and next to him there is a small European Union flag. In front of him, is the Prime Minister of Australia, who we see from the back. There is an Australian flag next to him.

Defending a rules-based multilateral
world order  

23 September 2022

The EU is not asking anyone to choose between East and West, North or South. But there is a choice to be made. The EU's choice is respect for borders, rather than aggression. It's cooperation rather than threat. It's rules-based order, rather than the law of the strongest. 
President Michel during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA
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Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is giving a speech at the G7 summit. He is outside and there are mountains in the background.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is delivering his address to the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is shaking hands with António Guterres (UN Secretary-General). Behind them are two UN flags and a wall featuring the logo of the UN.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is walking on a red carpet. Alongside the carpet, there is a line of flags. In the background, there is a figurine showing the name G20.

Tackling the energy crisis  

21 October 2022

We have a deal on energy. There is a strong and unanimous commitment to act together, as Europeans, to reach three goals: lower prices, guarantee the security of supply and continue to work to reduce demand.
President Michel following the European Council meeting
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The assembly of a gas pipeline at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Germany on 15 November 2022.
Three visuals overlaid in transparency. One of them is a picture of a gas plate. The other is a map of the southern hemisphere. The third is a bar graph and an arrow showing an increase. This suggests that gas prices are going up.
EU leaders are sitting at the roundtable in the meeting room of the European Council.
A collage type visual. There are two wind turbines, a line showing an increase, gas storage facilities, and the stars of the European around a green circle.
A collage type visual of gas valves set against a map of EU countries.

Protecting our planet  

November 8 2022

Our climate actions come with an obligation to developing countries, to the next generation, and to our citizens. We are more resolved than ever to protect our planet and to work with others to do the same.  
President Michel at the Climate Implementation Summit at the COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
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The remains of a forest - a group of pine trees amongst a pile of fallen trees.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is giving a speech at the COP-27 conference in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Next to him and the lectern he is standing at are the UN and Egyptian flags.
A collage type visual. There are two power plants releasing smoke. Two hands are above them, as if trying to limit the amount of smoke. There is another hand holding a tree.

EU-Western Balkans relations  

6 December 2022

Today’s summit and declaration are significant milestones: they carry concrete commitments and additional steps towards integration. I profoundly believe that the future of our children will be safer and more prosperous with the Western Balkans inside the EU.
President Michel at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana, Albania
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EU and Western Balkan leaders pose for a family photo. They are standing next to a glass building and are flanked by EU flags.
Charles Michel (President of the European Council) is walking next to Benjamina Karić (Mayor of Sarajevo) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are in a marketplace and both of them are smiling.
EU and Western Balkan leaders pose for a family photo while watching a traditional dance performance during the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana, Albania.
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Photos/Credits

  1. President Charles Michel and President of Ukraine Volodomyr Zelenskyy meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine on 20 April 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  2. Visit to Borodyanka and Dmytrovka on 20 April 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  3. A woman in a red coat walking on a destroyed bridge in Ukraine.
    ©People in Need, 2022 (photographer: Alberto Lores). All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Union under conditions.
  4. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the roundtable of the special meeting of the European Council, 24 February 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  5. Photo collage representing EU sanctions against Russia.
    ©European Union, 2022
  6. President Charles Michel and President of Ukraine Volodomyr Zelenskyy meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine on 20 April 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  7. Ukrainian refugees being welcomed by volunteers in Romania. Photographer: Bogdan Dinca.
    ©European Union, 2022
  8. Pro-Ukraine demonstration in Paris, France, 26 February 2022.
    ©ESTELLE RUIZ / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP
  9. Polish mothers left pushchairs at a train station in Poland, for Ukrainian mothers who may need them when they arrive, 2 March 2022. Photographer: Francesco Malavolta.
    © European Union, 2022  
  10. President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, at the special meeting of the European Council, 24 February 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  11. Family photo of EU leaders during the informal European Council meeting in Versailles, France, 10 March 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  12. Helicopter exercise 'Black Blade 2016'.
    ©FISCHER MAXIMILIAN, European Union, 2016  
  13. Offshore wind farm in Flevoland Netherlands Ijsselmeer.
    Photographer: Fokke Baarssen, ©123RF
  14. Researcher inspecting a data chip through a lightning magnifying glass.
    ©Getty Images, 2022
  15. President Charles Michel meeting the President of National Commission of Human Rights in Mauritania, 21 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  16. President Charles Michel meeting the national security coordinator in Accra, Ghana, 21 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  17. President Charles Michel meeting the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, 19 July 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  18. President Charles Michel meeting the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani in Nouakchott, Mauritania, 21 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  19. President Michel visiting Samarkand, Uzbekistan,  27 October 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022 
  20. President Michel meeting the President of China, Xi Jinping, 1 December 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  21. President Charles Michel attending a roundtable with Saudi women during his visit to Saudi Arabia, 13 September 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  22. President Charles Michel attending the ASEAN Summit gala dinner in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 13 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022 
  23. President Charles Michel participating in the Central Asia leaders meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, 27 October 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  24.  A local farmer looking at the remains of his tractor in the Chernihiv area, Ukraine.
    ©Maxym Marusenko / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
  25. The shadow of a helicopter reflected on a field of wheat in the Kyiv region on 14 July 2022.
    ©Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP
  26. President Charles Michel and the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal are inspecting grain in a cargo ship at the Odesa Port, Ukraine, on 9 May 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  27. Family photo of European leaders during the inaugural meeting of the European Political Community in Prague, Czech Republic, on 6 October 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  28. Roundtable with President Charles Michel, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan in the margins of the European Political Community meeting, 6 October 2022.
    ©LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
  29. Collage of EU, Moldovan and Ukrainian flags.
    ©European Union, 2022
  30. President Charles Michel at the G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany, 28 June 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  31. G20 leaders planting mangroves during the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, 16 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  32. President Charles Michel together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, during the EU-Japan Summit, 12 May 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  33. Partner session at the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain, 29 June 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  34. President Charles Michel during the EU-Australia leaders' meeting, 16 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  35. President Charles Michel at the G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany, 26 June 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  36. President Charles Michel delivering his address at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA, on 23 September 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  37. President Charles Michel meeting the UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN headquarters in  New York, USA, 6 June 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  38. President Charles Michel at the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, 16 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  39. Assembly of a gas pipeline at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Germany, 15 November 2022.
    ©MARCUS BRANDT / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP
  40. Collage of rising energy prices.
    ©123RF
  41. Roundtable with EU leaders at the European Council meeting on 20 October 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  42. Collage of wind turbines, graph showing rising energy prices and gas storage facilities.
    ©European Union, 2022
  43. Collage of gas valves set against a map of EU countries.
    ©European Union, 2022
  44. Photo showing deforestation. Photographer: Matt Palmer.
    ©Unsplash
  45. President Charles Michel giving his address at the UN Climate Change Conference COP-27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, 8 November 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  46. Visual with two hands above power plants releasing smoke.
    ©European Union, 2022
  47. Family photo of EU and Western Balkans leaders during the EU-Western Balkans leaders' meeting on 23 June 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  48. President Charles Michel meeting the Mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karić, during his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, 21 May 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
  49. EU and Western Balkan leaders posing for a family photo while watching a traditional dance performance during the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana, Albania, on 6 December 2022.
    ©European Union, 2022
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