• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Russia's aggression against Ukraine and situation in Middle East on agenda at informal EU ministerial meeting

Government Offices of Sweden

Article from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Published 01 September 2025

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard took part in an informal EU foreign ministers meeting (Gymnich) in Copenhagen on 29-30 August 2025.

Once every six months, the EU foreign ministers gather in the country holding the Presidency of the Council for an informal meeting. The meeting for the second half of 2025 took place in Copenhagen. The ministers discussed a number of current issues, with Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East top of the agenda.

Ms Malmer Stenergard stressed the importance of the EU adopting a 19th sanctions package as soon as possible. In a 19th sanctions package, Sweden wants to see further sanctions against a number of sectors and measures to counter the shadow fleet. Ms Malmer Stenergard also emphasised that the EU must be able to agree on concrete measures to improve matters in Gaza, where the situation is dire, but also in the West Bank. This means putting increased pressure on Israel to live up to its obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access in accordance with international humanitarian law. EU pressure on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release the hostages must also increase.