On the afternoon of Tuesday 20 May, the European foreign affairs ministers will meet to discuss the situation in Ukraine, adopt new sanctions against Russia and discuss the situation in Gaza and Syria.
Ukraine. Like their defence counterparts in the morning, and after a speech by the Ukrainian minister, Andrii Sybiha, the ministers will examine the situation in Ukraine, a few days after the talks in Turkey between Ukrainians and Russians. They will also discuss the situation on the ground, ways of contributing to the conclusion of an “immediate, total and unconditional” ceasefire, the strengthening of the EU’s support for Kyiv and the security guarantees that the EU could provide.
The EU Council will also adopt new sanctions against Russia as part of several packages of measures: the 17th package concerning Russia’s war of aggression, sanctions linked to Russia’s hybrid activities, sanctions against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, and finally measures as part of the Russian human rights regime (see EUROPE 13640/6). In total, 130 individuals and entities and 200 vessels from the ‘shadow fleet’ should be penalised, according to a European source.
The ministers could already be looking at the 18th sanctions package, which would cover sectoral measures and the renewal of economic sanctions, scheduled for the end of July. Some Member States are worried that Hungary will block the decision. Within this framework, the heads of diplomacy should be informed of plans B and C, should unanimity not be achieved.
The Member States could also discuss cooperation with countries close to Russia to increase pressure on the latter to accept a ceasefire. In a letter initiated by Austria, fifteen Member States ask the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, to “take the initiative to coordinate a new global, targeted and joint diplomatic effort” pointing out that “many countries have close relations with Moscow, which could and should be used to increase diplomatic pressure on Russia”.
Middle East. The European ministers will then turn their attention to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where essential aid for Palestinian civilians has not been delivered since early March due to a strict Israeli blockade. According to the United Nations, around 2.1 million people are affected by food insecurity and 470,000 people are in a situation of “catastrophic” famine, the fifth and final phase on the international IPC scale (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification).
According to a senior EU diplomat, Israel is now under increased pressure in the face of the continuing crisis. “We are in a position to tell Tel Aviv, this cannot be business as usual”, he said on Monday. He further asserted: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza has to change”.
Another European source said that at least one EU Member State was in favour of “greater restructuring” of aid to Gaza.
In a joint declaration published on Monday evening, the foreign ministers of 25 countries, including 16 EU Member States, together with the EU High Representative and the European Commissioners for Crisis Management and the Mediterranean, Hadja Lahbib and Dubravka Šuica, called on the Israeli government to allow full resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza without delay. The signatories condemn a blockade lasting more than two months, which has led to a situation of famine and the depletion of vital resources. They reject the new delivery model proposed by Israel as contrary to fundamental humanitarian principles, and demand that the UN and its partners be allowed to operate independently and impartially.
While European officials have continually called for the delivery of aid not to be politicised (see EUROPE 13635/11), Israel announced on Monday that it was allowing a limited amount of aid into the Palestinian enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said he wanted to avoid a famine “for diplomatic reasons”. For its part, the terrorist group Hamas, in a statement made by one of its leaders on Thursday 15 May, described the entry of aid as a “minimum requirement” for any resumption of ceasefire negotiations.
The ministers will examine the Dutch request for the Association Agreement with Israel to be re-examined under Article 2 on respect for human rights (see EUROPE 13636/3). The Netherlands’ objective is to have the support of at least the majority of Member States - several, including France, Finland and Spain, have publicly stated that they are in favour of the review - which would force the European Commission to react and analyse Israel’s compliance in the light of Article 2. The Member States are divided on this issue. Some Member States believe that the Association Agreement and the Council linked to it make it possible to send messages, even unpleasant ones, to Israel. But for others, the Netherlands’ request is legitimate and the European Commission must come back to the Member States with concrete evidence.
The ministers could also reach a political agreement to press ahead with work to punish violent settlers and members of Hamas.
The forthcoming conference on Palestine and the promotion of a two-state solution, scheduled for 18 June in New York at the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia, should also be mentioned.
Syria. Following the announcement by the United States of the lifting of its sanctions against the country, the Europeans could reach a political agreement to lift additional measures, including those against the Syrian central bank. The EU had already taken measures in February to help the country with its economic recovery and reconstruction (see EUROPE 13586/5).
“If we want to move forward to help Syria, we need to lift certain financial sanctions, particularly on banks, to allow economic and commercial activities to resume”, explained a European source, while pointing out that sanctions must be reversible if necessary.
The security situation in the country, whether due to Israeli strikes or in the north-east of the country, including the camps of Daesh members, should also be raised.
Yemen. The EU Council will also adopt conclusions on Yemen, to launch a new EU commitment to the country.
Media. At the request of the Czech Republic, the ministers will examine the situation of Radio Free Europe, whose funding has been cut off by the United States, to see how the medium can be made sustainable.
Humanitarian breakfast. Tuesday’s Foreign Affairs Council will be preceded by an informal breakfast organised alongside the European Humanitarian Forum (see other news).
According to a European diplomat, the question of funding for humanitarian aid in the light of the suspension of US aid (USAID) (see EUROPE 13617/5) and the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (see EUROPE 13639/30) will be discussed. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant and Bernard Denuit)