Ministers discussed the Russian military aggression and stood united in their support for Ukraine.
Russian aggression against Ukraine can be qualified in two words. The first is failure. It’s a big failure of the Russian army. The second is horror. What the Russian army left behind is civilians killed, cities destroyed, indiscriminate bombing. The coming Russian offensive in the east makes us even more determined to continue supporting Ukraine.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Ministers highlighted the importance of accountability for the gross violations of international law. The EU will support the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor and the Ukrainian prosecutor financially and with staff on the ground. The EU advisory mission will now be deployed on the ground to cooperate in the investigation and collection of evidence.
The EU will continue to support Ukraine politically and financially, as well as to support the Ukrainian armed forces. In this regard, work will continue within the Council on the proposal for an additional 500 million euros to be mobilised under the European Peace Facility.
Ministers also assessed the implementation of sanctions and how to avoid any loopholes. They had a general discussion on what else can be done.
The Council also discussed efforts to reinforce strategic communication and to counter disinformation, including on the topic of rising food insecurity caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Ministers discussed how to face this challenge of rising food insecurity in other regions of the world, especially in Africa, the Western Balkans, the Middle East and Latin America.
Over lunch, EU ministers exchanged views with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, and the Icelandic Foreign Minister Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.