The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, is optimistic that the European leaders from the first Summit of the new initiative of the European Political Community can, among other things, send a signal to Russia that they are working temporarily and without it to overcome the current crises.

"This meeting is important because it is the first. We are facing the same problems, we have the same challenges. I am a big optimist. It will show how well we can cooperate", said Michel in Prague, where the Summit is being held today with the participation of leaders from 44 European countries, excluding Russia and Belarus.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte emphasized that the European political community is not an alternative to the accession process, but a platform for European leaders to discuss current issues.

He pointed to the need for European solidarity to coordinate activities.

Previously, the high representative for common foreign and security policy of the EU, Josep Borrell, said that the Summit and the formation of the European political community is a signal to Russia, although it is clear that it will not stop the war because of the sanctions, to know that it is isolated.

"It does not mean that we want to isolate Russia forever, but we will not unite this Russia. We are here to send signals to Russia", Borel said before the beginning of the Summit.

The summit begins with a small blunder – the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Sani, unexpectedly left Prague, although he wanted to participate in the final plenary session scheduled for the formal dinner.

At the last minute, Brussels rejected the possibility of changing the participants of the meeting, after which, according to the Czech media, the insulted emir left Prague prematurely.