The recent attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv shows that Russia is unrelentingly continuing its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU’s position is clear: we need to ensure Ukraine’s resilience against Russia and thus also the security of Europe.

The military situation remains difficult for Ukraine. For this reason, today’s Foreign Affairs Council will once again look at military support for the country, focusing in particular on air defence. As usual, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba will take part in the first part of the discussion via video link.

As a follow-up to the Swiss peace conference in June, the Foreign Ministers will also consider how the European states can together promote our position in talks with third states. It is clear that any discussion of peace plans can only take place on the basis of international law and with Ukraine’s participation. The EU and its partners must stand united to this end.

Continued focus on the situation in the Middle East

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening dramatically. Foreign Minister Baerbock recently travelled again to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon to explore ways out of the impasse of war. She will report on this trip to her EU colleagues today.

The Foreign Affairs Council will today discuss further aid supplies to Gaza as well as the political process for a sustainable ceasefire. The Biden plan provides a clear route to a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a path to sustainable peace. The continuing settlement activities run diametrically counter to this. In Brussels today, the EU27 will continue their discussions on how all parties can be persuaded to take the path referred to in the Biden plan.

At the same time, the situation on Israel’s border with Lebanon remains highly dangerous. Hezbollah’s missile attacks on northern Israel are continuing unabated. In this tense environment, one spark could set things aflame. The EU27 will today discuss how all actors can be encouraged towards restraint.

Exchange with the European Investment Bank

With the European Investment Bank, the EU has a strong instrument for investment in security and sustainable development worldwide. The EU Foreign Ministers will use the opportunity provided by today’s meeting in Brussels to have an informal exchange of views with EIB President Nadia Calviño. They will look at the EIB’s strategic vision: the EIB, too, is very much focused on support for Ukraine.

Progress on digital diplomacy

“Digital” has long ceased to be uncharted territory. The prime aim of digital diplomacy is to ensure that the EU profiles itself as a single entity in its online presence, too. This is crucial, especially in multilateral bodies such as the United Nations. One priority now is to expand support for Ukraine in the civilian cyber sphere. The Tallinn mechanism, intended, for example, to help protect Ukraine against cyber attacks, is a major instrument in this context. Germany currently holds the chair and is endeavouring to strengthen the mechanism.

We also want to expand our digital partnerships with key countries like South Korea and Kenya, in order to push back the influence of authoritarian states in the digital world as well.