Good afternoon, everybody. We just concluded a very productive Foreign Affairs Council.
First, we had a breakfast on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference. Exposing disinformation is necessary. Disrupting the machinery behind is essential.
The EU is taking concrete action. We have expanded our counter disinformation training to 65 countries. We have taken down dozens of websites and hundreds of ads linked to Russian mercenary recruitment network in Africa, and we successfully helped Armenia counter foreign interference ahead of its June elections.
As next steps, we are proposing 100 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s FIMI infrastructure. We will also explore closer cooperation with like-minded partners with whom we have Security and Defence Partnerships.
On Georgia, democratic backsliding there is worsening. More opposition parties face bans, and the Foreign Agents Law is suffocating civil society. The Georgian people want a European future, but Georgian Dream is systematically taking it away from them. Our current approach is not generating sufficient pressure for change, nor is it allowing us to fully pursue European strategic interests. We will revert to this topic in January.
Ministers also discussed the security impact on an enlarged Union. Enlargement has been the EU’s most successful foreign policy tool for decades. It is not just about making the EU bigger; it is about making Europe safer and also stronger geopolitically.
Many candidate countries already significantly contribute to our security. Ukraine, of course, is Europe’s first line of defense against Russian aggression. Moldova and our Western Balkan partners contribute to EU Missions and Operations. Today, Ministers agreed to deepen security and defence cooperation with candidate countries based on their progress and alignment with the EU. This means integrating them into European defence frameworks, expanding joint defence production, and making better use of our Security and Defence Partnerships.
Enlargement is an investment in Europe’s security and geopolitical power.
Turning now to Russia’s war against Ukraine, in the past week alone, Russian strikes killed more than 150 Ukrainian civilians. Russia struck Kyiv’s bridges, Black Sea grain ships, hit power stations, and bombed Kyiv’s National Academy of Sciences. These are not the actions of a country seeking peace.
There was support today among Ministers for truce on striking energy infrastructure between Ukraine and Russia, provided Moscow adheres to it. But ceasefire cannot work only if one party honors it.
There is a clear understanding that now is not the time to ease pressure on Moscow, and that is why today Ministers adopted nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex. This is the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia’s war started. Europe has shown a united front today.
More than half target the production chain for ballistic missiles. We are making it significantly harder, slower, and more expensive for Russia to produce weapons it uses to kill Ukrainians.
Ministers also approved 77 listings against those participating in the sham vote in occupied Ukrainian territories, and several listings linked to cooperation with North Korea.
Pressure on Moscow, not concessions, is the fastest way to end the war.
With Minister Sybiha, we assessed the latest developments and Ukraine’s most pressing need, and of course, air defence remains the priority. And this week we will provide further funding for drones and missiles.
I am also very glad that Ukraine today passed the necessary laws to open two enlargement clusters tomorrow. Ukraine’s future is in the EU, and we heard also from the Member States that tomorrow things should go smoothly.
On Russia’s escalating hybrid attacks and our collective response, Ministers were clear that we need to approach this issue in a comprehensive way, rather than react to individual incidents. On top of our list are, first, more sanctions, including the 22nd sanctions package. Second, more sanctions enforcement. Third, stronger actions against the shadow fleet. Fourth, attribution of hybrid attacks, and fifth, better intelligence sharing.
Ministers also focused on Ukraine’s financing gap for 2027, and many mentioned Russian frozen assets in this context.
One important element is to reduce the security risks inside our borders. That is why we were discussing also the issues regarding hybrid attacks. Restricting the movement of Russian diplomats, reducing the number of Russian tourist visas, and working on a swift implementation of the entry ban for former Russian ex-combatants is crucial. When it comes to our collective response, we need a mechanism to consult and to act rapidly, and this is why we will propose the Emergency Security Protocol as part of our European Security Strategy. This must come with a set of ready-to-deploy response tools.
Ministers also discussed preventing the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international sporting competitions. We face a similar situation in the cultural sphere. Sports and culture must not become vehicles for whitewashing Russian aggression. Based on today’s discussion, my services together with the Commission, will put forward proposals on how to sustain Russia’s isolation in global sports. This can go in parallel with further sanctions on those destroying Ukrainian cultural heritage.
On the International Criminal Court, I spoke with the ICC President Akane following the U.S. sanctions announcement. The six-month period before the U.S. measures takes effect offers a window of dialogue. The EU has options to ensure that the Court can continue its vital work, and we were discussing this with the Ministers. Member States were clear: they are serious about protecting the Court.
Now, turning to the Middle East. The Houthi attacks on Riyadh Airport were appalling acts of terror. There can be no justification for indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. Yesterday, I also conveyed my condolences to Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal, and exchanged views on the situation. In the Red Sea, escort operations by Operation ASPIDES are becoming even more crucial given the Houthis’ dangerous escalation. I welcome the additional ships recently offered by the Member States, but it is also clear that we need more. Keeping the Red Sea open is in Europe’s strategic interest.
International waters, the arteries of our economy, must remain open to everyone, not whoever can pay. Today, over 60 countries pledged to oppose tolls and fees on international shipping routes. I launched the “No Tolls, No Fees” pledge before summer, and now we have had a serious commitment from around the world on this. I want to thank all the countries who signed up to this pledge, and of course invite also others to join in. We will release the declaration after this press conference.
Then, on Palestine, Ministers regretted the postponement of Palestinian elections. Palestinian legislative and presidential elections should take place as soon as possible. The EU remains ready to support the process, including through our EU Election Observation Mission. After 20 years without the legislative vote, Palestinian institutions need renewed legitimacy.
Ministers today also approved the new EU Support Mission in Lebanon. It will support Lebanon’s authorities in strengthening territorial control, border security, and internal security capabilities. And this marks a major upgrade in our security relationship. We aim to have the Mission ready and operational within the coming months.
Finally, Ministers also extended the mandate of the Advisory Mission in Iraq by two years. The Mission will continue to support Iraq in countering terrorism and organised crime. As others pull out, we keep our presence on the ground.
We also spoke about many other topics, but that is already a lot. So, I am ready to take your questions.