EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels today for their last ordinary meeting of the year. The agenda includes discussions on the conflict in the Middle East and continued support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Discussions are also planned on the latest developments in Sahel countries such as Niger.
The West African state, ruled by a military junta, recently asked the EU to withdraw personnel who were there to support the fight against terrorism and illegal migration.
Entry bans on extremist settlers?
Talks on the Middle East conflict will, among other things, address the question of whether EU entry bans should be imposed on extremist Israeli settlers. The US recently announced this measure in response to an alarming increase in violence in the West Bank.
At the same time, it is being examined whether punitive measures against the Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas can be further strengthened. The EU recently placed the commander of Hamas' armed wing, Mohammed Deif, and his deputy, Marwan Issa, on its terrorist list. Both are considered the planners of the massacre in Israel on October 7, which resulted in the death of around 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of around 240 people to the Gaza Strip.
As far as Ukraine is concerned, one of the current issues is how additional military aid should be financed. A proposal by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to provide a sum of €20 billion by the end of 2027 does not currently appear viable. The Spaniard therefore asks that at least five billion euros be promised for next year.