The foreign and defense ministers of the European Union will gather today in Brussels to discuss the ongoing fighting in Ukraine, the defense capabilities of the union and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, DPA reports, BTA reports.
The regular monthly meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council will also be attended by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, our foreign ministry informs.
The foreign ministers are expected to officially approve the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, imposed due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The new measures are aimed at the so-called “shadow fleet“ – a group of ships with unclear ownership and often uninsured, which help Russia circumvent Western restrictions on oil exports.
The package also includes personal sanctions - a ban on entry into the EU and an asset freeze - for more than ten individuals, as well as restrictive measures against dozens of companies accused of aiding Russian efforts to circumvent the sanctions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga will join the forum via video link. This comes after talks in Istanbul between representatives of Ukraine and Russia on a ceasefire proposed by Kiev failed to produce significant progress.
Among the main topics of the meeting are the latest developments in the Middle East, including the situation in the Gaza Strip and Syria.
In parallel, EU defense ministers will discuss military support for Ukraine. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will join the meeting via video link, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to participate in the discussions in person in Brussels.
The agenda also includes strengthening the EU's defense capabilities, including a discussion of a proposal to create a defense fund worth 150 billion euros.