EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and situation in Middle East

EU foreign affairs ministers will convene in Brussels on 22 July. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

The foreign affairs ministers will continue their discussion on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ministers will focus on the EU’s military support for Ukraine, the use of revenues generated by immobilised Russian assets and the follow-up to the peace summit held in Switzerland. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba will participate in the discussion via videoconference.

“We strongly condemn Russia’s massive missile attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Innocent people, including children, are suffering from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Support for Ukraine will remain at the core of our foreign and security policy. Russia is launching hybrid attacks against numerous European countries besides Ukraine. Recent times have shown that there are no bystanders; in Europe, we are in the same boat. That is why it is of utmost importance that the EU continue its military support for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility and by using revenues generated from the immobilised assets of the Central Bank of Russia,” Foreign Minister Valtonen says.

In discussions on the Middle East, the foreign affairs ministers will focus on the ongoing war in Gaza, on efforts to reach a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and on the regional situation.

“The EU should continue to act resolutely to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. It must call for an immediate ceasefire and for the release of hostages in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved based on a two-state model. The EU should also promote the reduction of other tensions that have increased in the Middle East,” Minister Valtonen said.

The EU foreign affairs ministers will also have an informal exchange of views with the President of the European Investment Bank, Nadia Calviño.