"Upotrebljavamo kolačiće kako bismo poboljšali vaše iskustvo pretraživanja. Neophodni kolačići služe tome da se omoguće ključne značajke internetskih stranica Vijeća. Neobvezni kolačići pomažu nam u izradi anonimnih i zbirnih statističkih izvješća kako bismo bolje ispunili vaše potrebe.
The Foreign Affairs Council was chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and convened EU Defence Ministers in the morning, and EU Foreign Affairs Ministers in the afternoon.
Russia’s war against Ukraine / EU support for Ukraine
EU defence ministers discussed EU military support for Ukraine after a VTC address by the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, Rustem Umerov, and in the presence of NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte.
They focused on a possible EU contribution to security guarantees for Ukraine, in the context of ongoing efforts by the Coalition of the Willing, and progress made in the implementation of the High Representative’s initiative on “enhanced military support to Ukraine”, aiming to provide Ukraine with 2 million rounds of large calibre ammunition in 2025.
In the afternoon, EU foreign affairs ministers were briefly joined by the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, who updated them on the ongoing diplomatic developments, including the following meeting in Türkiye.
Our top priority remains a full and unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine already agreed to it over 60 days ago, but instead of seeking peace, Russia is still playing games and has escalated its attacks. The only option is to put more pressure on Russia to negotiate seriously.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The Council adopted the 17th package of economic and individual restrictive measures cutting off Russia’s access to key military technology and curbing Russia’s energy revenues that fuel its war of aggression against Ukraine, by heavily targeting Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers, their operators, as well as a major Russian oil producer.
The Council was also updated on sanctions by the EU sanctions envoy, David O'Sullivan, and on the economic impact of EU sanctions on Russia by the Director for the Intelligence and Situation Centre (INTCEN), Daniel Markić.
The Council held a discussion on defence readiness, focussing on the implementation of the White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030, and the ReArm Europe Plan.
Ministers focused on the identified priority capability areas agreed by the European Council, and how to implement them into concrete, collaborative projects, also benefitting from joint procurement.
The High Representative stressed that progress need to be made by June when both the European Council and the NATO's summit will take place.
She also announced that the EU’s Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) of up to 5,000 troops is now operational, marking a significant step in the EU’s ability to act quickly and decisively whenever a crisis erupts.
The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Middle East, against the background of the intensification of Israeli military operations and the dramatic worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The High Representative affirmed that aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale, and that this position had been voiced to both the Israeli counterpart, the UN, and regional leaders.
It is clear from today's discussion that there is a strong majority in favour of review of Article 2 of our association agreement with Israel. So we will launch this exercise and, in the meantime, it is up to Israel to unblock the humanitarian aid. Saving lives must be our top priority.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
On Syria, the High Representative announced that EU ministers had agreed to lift all economic sanctions while maintaining those related to the Assad regime and human rights violations. She stressed that this decision is reversible and conditional on progress.
There can be no peace without the path to economic recovery. And we all need a stable Syria.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The Council also discussed the situation in Da’esh camps and detention centres in North-East Syria, and the High Representative announced that a financial package worth €18 million will go towards improving the conditions in the camps.
The High Representative announced that a €5.5 million contract with the European Endowment for Democracy was under preparation, and that this will support the work of Radio Free Europe.
The Council agreed a broad set of EU measures targeting the Russia’s hybrid activities, domestic violations of human rights and the use of riot control agents by Russian forces in Ukraine, under three other sanctions regimes.
The Council adopted conclusions on Yemen, in which it expresses grave concerns over the situation in the country and calls for a renewed momentum in the peace efforts.
The Council adopted a decision authorising the coordinator of the PESCO project ‘Cyber Ranges Federations’ to invite Switzerland to participate in this military project.
EU Ministers of Defence met in the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board under the chairmanship of High Representative Kallas in her capacity as Head of Agency.
EU Ministers of Defence endorsed the European Defence Agency’s synthesis of projects, actions and proposals for short-term joint acquisitions of defence equipment, in line with the initial list of priority areas set out in the European Council conclusions of 6 March 2025 and the White Paper on European Defence Readiness 2030.
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