For a strong Europe in the world - the EU Foreign Affairs Council focuses on Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa
Germany Federal Foreign Office
20.05.2025 - Article
The Foreign Ministers of the EU will be convening today and tomorrow in Brussels to discuss key foreign policy challenges: the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the tense situation in the Middle East and how the partnership with Africa can be further developed.
Determined and united - Europe's responsibility in an insecure world
Russia is unabatedly pursuing its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine - every single day, every single night. The EU member states stand firmly by Ukraine's side. It's clear that Europe must take on significantly more responsibility for its security, its defence and its sovereignty. Today's Foreign Affairs Council is very much focused on this new role Europe wants to assume.
War in Ukraine - a clear European position, and specific support
At the top of the agenda is Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU reiterates its clear position that a ceasefire is urgently needed in order to enable true peace negotiations. At the same time, there must be no compromises at the cost of, or without the involvement of, Ukraine. Its sovereignty and territorial integrity are of crucial importance.
The EU is working - including with the United States - to counter Russia's efforts to play for time, as well as to further expand joint support. This includes military and humanitarian assistance, as well as defining the framework conditions for a ceasefire.
Today's talks between EU Foreign Ministers are a continuation of recent consultations in Lviv, London and Kyiv. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will participate in the beginning of the meeting.
Germany remains a reliable partner. In 2025 alone, the German Government plans to provide 7 billion euro in military assistance. An additional 8.25 billion euro have been earmarked up until 2029. Moreover, Germany is contributing to the EU initiative to deliver ammunition, and only recently it pledged an additional 40 million euro in humanitarian assistance. Since the war began, Germany's humanitarian engagement in Ukraine has totalled 1.46 billion euro.
The EU is also taking determined action with regard to sanctions: Through its 17th sanctions package, it is targeting Russia's industrial-military complex and what is referred to as its shadow fleet - important sources of income for the Russian state that Russia uses to sustain the war effort. Additional measures are being prepared to ramp up pressure on Moscow and to stymie attempts at destabilisation.
The Middle East - humanitarian assistance and the search for political solutions
Another major item on the agenda is the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Israel, Gaza and Syria. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains dramatic. The EU is calling for swift and unimpeded access for aid supplies, as well as serious negotiations on a ceasefire. The release of all hostages being held by Hamas also remains key.
In Syria, the focus is on economic recovery. To further support the country's stabilisation and to prevent other actors from exploiting the vacuum that has arisen, the EU will loosen additional sanctions that have been imposed on Syria.
The partnership between the EU and Africa - working together for peace, prosperity and mobility
21 May will see the first EU-AU meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers in more than three years. The meeting will also mark the 25th anniversary of cooperation between the European Union and the African Union. The aim is to continue implementing the Joint Vision for 2030 that was adopted in February 2022, and to make preparations for the next summit meeting.
Topics on the agenda include peace and security, economic prosperity, multilateral cooperation and migration and mobility. The EU is seeking to deepen cooperation, on an equal footing and on the basis of shared interests and mutual responsibility.
Germany will, together with its EU partners, actively help further develop the partnership. Today, the EU is already Africa's largest partner for trade and investment.
Info
The Foreign Affairs Council
The Foreign Affairs Council is the EU's central decision-making body for foreign affairs and security policy. The Foreign Ministers of the EU countries regularly meet in this format to ensure that the EU's external action is unified and coordinated. Europe is facing major challenges. Together with our partners, we work in the European Union to promote peace, security and stability.
Info
EU-AU Foreign Ministers Meeting
The format of the EU-AU Foreign Ministers Meeting was established in 2019 and has become an important platform for political dialogue between Europe and Africa. The meeting in Brussels in May 2025 is the first high-level meeting in more than three years. The format seeks to deepen cooperation between the European Union and the African Union and to advance the implementation of joint decisions, in particular the Joint Vision for 2030. A special focus of this meeting is to prepare the next EU-AU summit, which is expected to be held in the fourth quarter of 2025 in Africa.
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