EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, Western Balkans, Georgia, and Great Lakes region of Africa

EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 24 June. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council will continue the discussion on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The topics on the agenda include the EU’s military support to Ukraine, the outcome of the Swiss peace summit, the use of profits from immobilised Russian assets, initiatives under the European Peace Facility and sanctions. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba will participate in the discussion via videoconference.

“Ukraine needs strong, long-term EU support in a situation where Russia seeks to strengthen its forces and continues to attack critical targets including Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. It is important for the EU to make progress in imposing new sanctions, delivering military support through the European Peace Facility and using profits from immobilised Russian assets to support Ukraine. The EU’s security commitments currently in preparation will be an important step forward as well,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Valtonen.

In discussions on the Middle East, the foreign ministers will focus on the EU's efforts to promote peace based on a two-state model and on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

As regards the Western Balkan region, the ministers will discuss intensifying cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries and the commitment of the region’s countries to the European values and the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The Foreign Affairs Council will also have an informal exchange of views with the foreign ministers of six Western Balkan countries.

The foreign ministers will also discuss recent developments in Georgia and the Great Lakes region of Africa.