Key results of the Foreign Affairs Council: Escalation of the frequency and intensity of the attacks by Russia against Ukraine demands respond with strength

“We all support the efforts to achieve a ceasefire, but Russia is escalating the frequency and intensity of its attacks. Just last night, we had again in Kyiv five casualties. This demands we respond with strength,” Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council said.

The Council then discussed military support to Ukraine. In this context, the High Representative announced that member states’ pledges already accounted for 80% of the target set by the two-million-round initiative.

EU ministers then touched on the 18^th package of individual and economic sanctions on Russia, currently under discussion, and held a discussion on Russia's hybrid actions against European countries, on the basis of a briefing by the Director of EU INTCEN, Daniel Markić.

• EU military support for Ukraine (background information) 

• Russia's war against Ukraine (background information) 

China and European security

Over a working lunch, the Foreign Affairs Council discussed relations with China, including China’s actions that affect EU security, such as China’s support to Russia and its war of aggression against Ukraine, and China’s hybrid activities (e.g. cyberattacks and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference - FIMI). The Director of EU INTCEN, Daniel Markić, provided a briefing.

“China is one of the largest trading partners, and we have a few issues like climate change where we cooperate. But every relationship requires a dose of realism. China enables Russia's war against Ukraine. […] It carries out cyberattacks. It interferes in our democracies. It uses coercive trade practices. These aspects strain our relationship and make it increasingly hard to continue as before,” Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council stressed.

Situation in the Middle East and Libya

The Foreign Affairs Council was preceded by an informal breakfast to discuss the latest developments in Iran. In this context EU ministers restated the EU’s call for de-escalation and a diplomatic outcome, and confirmed the EU position that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

On Gaza, the High Representative stressed that the EU priorities are clear: return to full ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and the release of all hostages. She informed the Council about her outreach with Israeli authorities and the messages passed to Minister Saar, including on the need to lift the blockade on food and medicines. The High Representative also presented to the Council the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of EU-Israel Association Agreement, and ministers had an exchange of views on it

“Our first goal is to change the situation on the ground and help the humanitarian aid get in, and help the people. So today was the beginning of the debate and not the end,” Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council emphasised.

Regarding Libya, the Council discussed how the EU can further support the UN-led mediation process with a view to a durable political solution.

• Israel/Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union (press release, 14 June 2025) 

• EU position on the situation in the Middle East(background information) 

• EU humanitarian support for Palestinians (background information) 

Other discussions and decisions

Under current affairs, the High Representative referred to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Georgia, where a new wave of repression is targeting opposition leaders, civil society organisations, independent broadcasters and protestors, and Georgian authorities are spreading disinformation on the EU and its member states.

The Council approved conclusions on Syria and the priorities that the EU will follow at the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (September 2025 – September 2026).

• Syria: Council approves conclusions (press release, 23 June 2025) 

• 80th UN General Assembly: Council approves conclusions on EU priorities (press release, 23 June 2025) 

The Council imposed restrictive measures on five persons responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in Syria.

Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime: EU imposes restrictive measures on five Syrian individuals associated with the former Assad regime for supporting crimes against humanity and for fueling sectarian violence (press release, 23 June 2