EU to discuss aid to Kyiv and new measures against Russia

The conflict in Ukraine and all related issues will be the focus of the first meeting of foreign ministers from the 27 EU countries in Brussels in 2025. As reported to journalists in Brussels by a senior EU representative, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas will advocate for increased military assistance to Kyiv.

During discussions on Ukraine, the foreign ministers will address the issue of the use of frozen Russian assets and the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, which Brussels aims to finalize by Feb. 24. However, to implement new measures, the EU must extend the existing sanctions set to expire on Jan. 31. Hungary is currently blocking the extension due to the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.

Another key topic for the foreign ministers’ meeting will be EU-U.S. relations under U.S. President Donald Trump. According to a European diplomat, Kallas has invited U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Brussels, but there has been no official confirmation of his attendance at the EU Council meeting.

The third topic of the meeting will be the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and Syria. An EU spokesperson stated that ministers will discuss the phased lifting of sanctions against Damascus.