Foreign Affairs Council: Press conference by High Representative Kaja Kallas
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Good afternoon.
We just concluded a very productive meeting of Foreign Ministers. I will start with the outlook for 2026.
The past weeks have made abundantly clear that the world order is shifting. Unpredictability is no longer an exception - it was the word that defined 2025 and it is also the word that will define 2026. Russia poses a major threat. China is a long-term challenge. The Middle East faces constant instability. But the new variable is the fundamental reorientation across the Atlantic.
Ministers today discussed how we remain united in front of all these challenges. When we are divided, we are weak, and when we are weak, we can be pushed around. It is on us to stand our ground. What is clear is that Europe must become stronger, and we must deepen our partnerships. The agreements reached with India this week are a good example of how Europe can grow stronger. A new security strategy can help chart the course. I will make sure that the Member States are involved in this.
Now, on Ukraine. Russia is not making an even token effort towards peace. Its strike on a passenger train was a war crime, like it was a war crime also to attack civilian infrastructure, like energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools, apartment buildings. And with that, Russia is failing to win on the battlefield, so it tries to weaponise winter.
Now, energy is the new front line. The EU is responding with the biggest ever winter aid package, this covers emergency equipment, funding and energy deliveries. Just today, we provided an extra 500 generators and €50 million for energy support. Overall, our energy fund has surpassed €1.6 billion. But this is not enough, as the images from Ukraine show us every day.
This is why we are also proposing a task force with the teams in Brussels and Kyiv to better coordinate energy support. Member States must also dig deeper into their air defence stocks.
In parallel, we increase pressure on Russia. The EU today blacklisted Russia for risk of money laundering. This will slow down and increase the costs of transactions with Russian banks. Work is also advancing on the €90 billion loan and the 20th sanctions package. Any measure that limits Russia's war funding must be on the table. There is also a proposal to ban Russian ex-combatants from entering into Schengen, [due to] its security risk. Planning also continues on the EU's contributions to the security guarantees - from expanding training to Ukrainian territory to accession and defence industry support. EU will be there. Accountability remains essential. Last week, the EU allocated the first €10 million to help set up a special Tribunal for the crime of aggression. Russia started this war, and Russia must be held accountable for it.
Then, also with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, we also discussed about accountability, that accountability is essential for any peace. Ministers had a very good discussion on human rights accountability and vital work of the United Nations.
In Iran, horrific crackdown on protesters has come at heavy human cost. The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place, and today, ministers agreed to designate Iran Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. This will put them on the same footing with Daesh, Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda. Those who operate through terror must be treated as terrorists. Ministers also imposed sanctions on those responsible for the brutal crackdown of protests, including the Minister of Interior. Repression cannot go unanswered. Beyond this, ministers adopted new sanctions on those involved in Iran's war support to Russia, and expanded export controls. Ministers were clear that Iran must release all those unjustly detained, including the European Union citizens. Going forward, we must be ready to further increase pressure on the authorities and continue supporting Iran's civil society.
On Syria. Syria remains fragile. The ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors are positive developments, but the country is far from stable. ISIS poses a persistent threat, and overall Minister stressed that the inclusive political transition and national reconciliation are the best path to prevent Syria from sliding back into chaos.
On Gaza, our focus is on supporting the peace plan. The overdue reopening of the Rafah Crossing Point between Gaza and Egypt will be the clearest sign of progress yet. Our EU personnel is ready to redeploy. Our EUPOL COPPS mission can play a key role in training Palestinian police and justice institutions. We are moving ahead with expanding EU training activities into Jordan. Ultimately, the security of Gaza must lie in the hands of Palestinians. Ministers also discussed how to engage and support Gaza's new governance structures. As we know, Gaza's reconstruction will depend on him as demilitarization.
Then, Sudan remains the world's worst humanitarian crisis. In response to the escalating violence, Ministers adopted new sanctions against members of the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. These measures alone will not end the war; but they will raise the cost for those responsible.
And finally, on the Great Lakes region, Ministers discussed how the EU can intensify diplomatic engagement, scale up humanitarian assistance and better support regional stabilisation efforts. We must be ready to consider further measures, according to the events on the ground.
And with that I am happy to take your questions.