EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, EU-US relations, Horn of Africa and Georgia

EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 18 November. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

EU foreign ministers will continue their discussion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. They will discuss military support to Ukraine, sanctions, third-country support to Russia’s military action and the Ukrainian Peace Formula, among other matters.

“Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which has already lasted 1,000 days, is not only about Ukraine’s security but about the security of Europe as a whole. Ukraine needs all our support now that it is preparing for the hard winter ahead. At the same time, the EU must continue to respond to Russia's aggression with a new (the 15th) package of sanctions, which must include measures against the Russian shadow fleet. The EU should also impose further consequences on third countries that support Russia’s warfare capability,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

In discussions on the Middle East, the foreign ministers will focus on the situation in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, and on UNRWA, among other matters.

“The spiral of violence has to end. The EU must promote diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and between Israel and Hezbollah. At the same time, the EU must make every effort to contribute to improving the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. The EU must actively promote a two-state solution in the region.”

The foreign ministers will also discuss the relations between the EU and the United States in light of the outcome of the US presidential elections.

“A stable, competitive and secure Europe will continue to be in the interests of the United States in the future. This includes Ukraine as well. At the same time, Europe must take more responsibility for its own security and defence and highlight the shared interests of the EU and the United States in areas such as global economic and technological competition: we need more cross-Atlantic trade, not less,” Foreign Minister Valtonen says.

With respect to the Horn of Africa, the Foreign Affairs Council will focus on the situation in Somalia and Sudan. Amongst others, the foreign ministers will discuss measures to promote the stabilisation and state-building processes in Somalia and the role of the EU and the international community in ending the conflict in Sudan and alleviating the difficult humanitarian situation.

The ministers will also exchange views on the relations between the EU and Georgia after the country’s parliamentary elections.