The EU’s foreign affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday 15 December for their last EU Council of the year, to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East and relations with China.
Ukraine. Once again, after talks with their Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, the ministers will focus on the situation in Ukraine, in particular the peace efforts underway. On the evening of 15 December, a meeting is due to be held in Berlin bringing together the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, “many” European heads of state or government and the leaders of the EU and NATO, according to the office of the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
The EU Council will discuss the security guarantees that the EU can provide to Kyiv, including the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM), which has already trained more than 85,000 personnel, European expertise on the defence sector, the strengthening of the civilian mission to extend its mandate to cyber security and the fight against hybrid threats, the reintegration of veterans, the management of small arms and mine clearance.
As part of the fight against the ‘shadow fleet’, the EU Council is expected to adopt sanctions against a further forty or so vessels and against nine entities or individuals linked to the fleet network. The ministers could adopt a joint declaration by the EU and the Member States on the international fight against the ‘shadow fleet’, which would provide for the opening of negotiations with third countries on prior authorisation for the boarding of vessels in the fleet. They could also discuss what the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows for in terms of boarding, in cases of doubt as to the origin of a vessel and its implementation in relation to the law of each Member State.
Sanctions are also expected to be adopted under the regime dealing with Russia’s destabilising activities.
Support for Ukraine’s energy sector, the return of forcibly displaced or kidnapped children - estimated at just under 20,000 - and accountability, on the eve of the launch of a new convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, will also be addressed.
Middle East. The ministers will then discuss the situation in the Middle East. They will examine the European contribution to the implementation of the peace plan through its two CSDP missions, EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS. The ministers could discuss the work underway to modify the mandates of these two missions, in particular EUPOL COPPS, which could train Gazan police officers, potentially in neighbouring countries such as Jordan or Egypt. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, still very difficult, will also be addressed.
The EU Council will take stock of the situation in Syria one year after the fall of the Assad regime (see EUROPE 13768/16) and of the assistance that the EU could provide to the transition.
The ministers are also expected to discuss Lebanon, including EU support for the country’s security. The EU is currently working on possible options, including the possibility of a civilian CSDP mission in support of civil security forces and/or to assist with border management, or a training mission for the armed forces (see EUROPE 13698/4). Several Member States already provide training.
China. The ministers will also exchange views on China and the EU’s relations with this country. The High Representative’s discussion paper focuses on four major issues: Chinese support for Russia’s war effort, the reconstruction of Ukraine with China’s possible participation and the limits that could be placed on it, particularly with regard to critical infrastructure, the EU’ vulnerability in defence industrial chains, and lastly, the persistent imbalance in economic relations. Several sources stressed on Friday the importance of dialogue with China as Europe as an entity, at a time when Beijing is attempting to bilateralise its relations with each Member State.
Great Lakes. At the request of an EU Member State, the European ministers will return to discussion of the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where, despite the diplomatic agreement reached in Washington on Thursday 4 December (see EUROPE 13767/26), fighting continues with the ‘M23’ armed group, supported by Rwanda. “These developments are very worrying, and could really tip the crisis over to a new level. The matter has been referred to the EU to ensure that the agreement is implemented”, a European source said on Friday. The source said that Monday’s meeting should “ensure that the best possible use is made of diplomatic efforts and explore ways of rapidly improving the humanitarian situation”.
Other topics. The EU Council will also receive information on hybrid threats against EU Member States. In recent weeks, Lithuania has had to close its airspace on several occasions due to a massive influx of weather balloons from Belarus.
Ahead of the EU Council, the ministers will meet their Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan. They are expected to discuss how the EU could help his country, which faces risks of Russian interference ahead of the June 2026 elections, connectivity projects and the peace process with Azerbaijan (see EUROPE 13764/19).
The EU Council will be followed by an EU-Lebanon Association Council, and the day will conclude with a ministerial dinner with Angola, at which the ministers will discuss political, peace and security issues, cooperation within multilateral bodies and their political priorities for cooperation, as well as trade and investment opportunities. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant and Bernard Denuit)