The EU’s foreign ministers gathered in Brussels have discussed the situation of the war in Ukraine and the additional aid to Ukraine. The ministers also agreed on new guidelines regarding the relations between the EU and Russia.
17:37•Updated 19:01
BRUSSELS The preparation of new sanctions against Russia continues at the EU level. The need for new sanctions was discussed at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
– Finland strongly supported the preparation of the ninth sanctions package for Russia. At the same time, it was reported that we in Finland are preparing a package of military supplies, which will certainly be given to Ukraine in the near future, the foreign minister Pekka Haavisto said at a press conference after the meeting.
However, so far no agreement has been reached among the EU countries on the new sanctions.
According to Haavisto, decisions on new energy sanctions are particularly difficult from the EU’s point of view.
New policies on EU-Russia relations
The ministers also agreed on new basic principles applicable to EU-Russia relations, which replace the previous five principles approved in 2016.
The new principles emphasize sanctions, supporting the EU’s neighboring countries and holding Russia accountable for war crimes.
In addition, the EU emphasizes strengthening the rule-based system, improving the EU’s internal sustainability, and supporting Russian civil society and independent media. According to Haavisto, the decision on the new policies is significant.
– I would put holding Russia responsible for war crimes as the most important thing, it has risen to the top of the list.
The need for help is massive
According to Haavisto, the EU is currently debating whether Russia should be held accountable through a separate criminal court or through the current International Criminal Court.
– Here we are not only talking about the use of possible Russian funds in EU territory for war reparations, but also about future mechanisms related to, for example, Russia’s gas and oil revenues.
The foreign ministers also discussed financial support for Ukraine. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba participated in the discussion via remote connection.
– Massive aid is needed to keep the country on its feet financially and to start reconstruction as quickly as possible, Haavisto estimates.
Hungary’s ratification is still awaited
Haavisto also held several bilateral discussions with colleagues. In a conversation with the Hungarian Foreign Minister. The approval of Finland’s NATO membership in the Hungarian Parliament took center stage.
According to Haavisto, there is still no clarity on when the Hungarian parliament will ratify the NATO decision.
– The waiting time always seems long, but this question should always be asked. We await positive news from Budapest as soon as possible.
In addition to the war in Ukraine, the meeting discussed, among other things, the situations in the Western Balkans, Iran and the COP27 climate meeting to be organized in Egypt.
At 18:52: The story has been updated in its entirety after Pekka Haavisto’s press conference.