EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s war of aggression, the Middle East, the South Caucasus and Sudan

Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Publication date 20.4.2026 15.00 | Published in English on 20.4.2026 at 15.10
Type:Press release

EU foreign affairs ministers will convene for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 21 April. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

EU foreign ministers will meet to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. They will also exchange views on the situation in the South Caucasus and Sudan.

“Russia has shown no genuine efforts to end the war. Instead, it continues its offensive and its strikes against critical targets. The EU must continue to step up pressure on Russia to weaken the country’s ability to pursue its war of aggression. In parallel, we must maintain our support for Ukraine and strenghten European defence,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

The foreign ministers will also hold extensive discussions on the Middle East.

“We are actively monitoring developments across the Middle East, including the situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, and are contributing to finding a diplomatic solution. In addition, we are offering support to advance a diplomatic solution and improve the humanitarian situation in Lebanon,” says Foreign Minister Valtonen.

Ahead of their discussion, the ministers will informally exchange views with the President of the Council of Ministers of the Lebanese Republic, Nawaf Salam.

Inquiries

  • Matilda af Hällström, Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 50 476 9575
  • Soile Kauranen, European Correspondent, EU Affairs Unit, tel. +358 295 350 547
  • The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format [email protected]