EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting with Ukrainian FM participation starts in Brussels

Espreso correspondent Tetiana Vysotska reported the information.

According to her, the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council and the EU Security Council has already begun.

The agenda includes military aid to Ukraine, as well as the approval of the 17th package of sanctions against Russia and discussions on the next, more powerful 18th package, which the European Union intends to adopt in response to Putin’s refusal of the proposed ceasefire.

Ukraine is being represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who will join via video link, and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who has arrived in Brussels in person.

Earlier, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on the trip.

According to the ministry, Sybiha went to Brussels at the invitation of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.

During the meeting with his European counterparts, the Ukrainian foreign minister will inform them about the current situation at the front and the development of peace initiatives after recent meetings in Turkey and contacts between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the EU.

“The Foreign Minister will emphasize the importance of further pressure on the aggressor and strengthening Ukraine to achieve a just and sustainable peace, emphasize the indivisibility of the security of Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic community, and call for the unity and strength of Euro-Atlantic allies in countering Russian aggression,” the ministry said.

In addition, ahead of the third EU–African Union ministerial meeting, Sybiha will hold a series of bilateral meetings in Brussels with the foreign ministers of African countries.

• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia by introducing new sanctions following the collapse of peace efforts in Istanbul.