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The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a video teleconference speech made by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, who updated his EU counterparts on the latest developments on the ground, and the most pressing Ukrainian needs, especially in terms of air defence systems and energy infrastructure.
In the ensuing discussion, the Foreign Affairs Council discussed EU support to President Zelensky’s Peace Formula and the EU’s military support to Ukraine. The High Representative clarified that there is a strategic logic in strengthening Ukraine politically and military to favour peace negotiations, and that peace cannot be confused with capitulation.
The High Representative touched on the recent Russian attacks against energy and port infrastructure, as well as grain exports, and underlined the need not to allow Putin to endanger global food security or succeed in his efforts to weaponise winter.
We will extend the mandate of the European Union Military Assistance Mission (in support for Ukraine) for the next two years. I hope we will find consensus to increase its mandate.
We also need to finally find consensus on my proposals to unblock the European Peace Facility/Ukraine Assistance Fund. We are almost there.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The Council also had an exchange of views with EU Special Envoy David O’Sullivan on the implementation of EU sanctions and efforts to counter circumvention. The High Representative underlined that there is progress on tackling circumvention, but more needs to be done to continue fighting this phenomenon, including in EU member states.
Concerning sanctions, the Council recently adopted a new regime targeting Russian hybrid activities against the European Union and its member states, and today adopted restrictive measures against seven individuals and seven entities following Iran’s missile and drone transfers to Russia.
Informal exchange of views with the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Ministers had an informal exchange of views, the first of its kind since Brexit, with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, to evaluate jointly a number of key foreign, security and defence issues in the current geopolitical context.
The exchange showed a great deal of convergence. The UK and the EU have been jointly at the forefront of the international response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and are united in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and reversing the serious escalation in the Middle East.
The High Representative concluded that parties would consider regular EU–UK consultations on specific topics, such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region or the Western Balkans.
Situation in the Middle East
The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the situation in the Middle East, focusing on the situation on the ground in the whole region. Ministers touched on the situation in Lebanon, Iran’s attacks on Israel, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and developments in the West Bank.
Concerning Lebanon, the EU had issued a statement condemning all attacks against UN missions, and expressing particularly grave concern regarding the attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which left several peacekeepers wounded. The Council confirmed that such attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a grave violation of international law, are totally unacceptable, and must stop immediately.
Today ministers reiterated their full support to UNIFIL. Nobody is asking UNIFIL to withdraw. And by the way, everybody has to know that it is not the Secretary-General of United Nations who has to decide if UNIFIL stays or leaves. This decision belongs to the United Nations Security Council.
[…] Here today, no member state was in favour of withdrawing UNIFIL. So if they do not have to withdraw, they have to stay. And if they have to stay, they have to stay in security.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The High Representative also touched on the EU’s support to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and the request made to the Commission to make the next tranche of EU support available to UNRWA immediately in the coming days.
Lastly, during the discussion the Council reiterated its call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of the hostages, and full compliance with humanitarian law. Ministers also touched on preparations for the EU-Israel Association Council, which had been requested by several member states in the past.
Current Affairs
Under Current Affairs, the Council exchanged views on:
− the Armenia–Azerbaijan normalisation process
− Georgia ahead of the parliamentary elections of 26 October
− the Republic of Moldova ahead of the presidential elections and referendum on EU accession on 20 October. The Council also adopted restrictive measures targeting five individuals and one entity responsible for actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova
− the Horn of Africa with a focus on Sudan and Somalia, and
− Venezuela in the aftermath of the elections of 28 July.
Council conclusions and other decisions
The Council prolonged the application of the EU’s restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons imposed on 25 persons and 3 entities for an additional year, until 16 October 2025.
