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Foreign ministers

EU Foreign Ministers Meet Amid Escalating Ukraine Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The European Union's foreign ministers are gathered in Brussels to address the escalating crisis in Ukraine and the Middle East, as the bloc's position on the conflicts remains uncertain. The meeting comes after a night of heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning of "murderers" and "terror" spreading across the region. Meanwhile, Spain's foreign minister has called for suspending the EU-Israel association agreement and imposing an embargo on weapons sales to Israel.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has warned that "Putin is a warmaker" and called for engaging all diplomatic instruments to raise the price for further Russian aggression.
  • Spain's foreign minister has proposed suspending the EU-Israel association agreement, imposing an embargo on selling weapons to Israel, and enlarging the list of people sanctioned for undermining the two-state solution.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using ballistic weapons from North Korea, and warned neighboring countries to prepare for the potential spread of terror.
  • Spain has reached an agreement with NATO on the 5% defence spending commitment, but plans to spend around 2.1% of GDP on defence, rather than the proposed 5%.
  • The EU foreign affairs council will discuss Ukraine and Russia, as well as the worsening crisis in the Middle East, with a focus on calling for a return to negotiations and avoiding further escalation.

Statistics:

  • 352 drones and 16 missiles were reported by Ukraine's air force as being fired by Russia on the night of June 22-23.
  • At least six people were killed and over a dozen injured in the Russian attacks.
  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that preliminary reports indicate that ballistic weapons from North Korea were also used in the attack.
  • Spain plans to spend around 2.1% of its GDP on defence, rather than the proposed 5%.

Sources:

  • Ukraine's air force reported 352 drones and 16 missiles fired by Russia on June 22-23.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's press conference on June 23.
  • Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares' statement on the EU-Israel association agreement on June 23.
  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement on North Korea providing ballistic weapons to Russia on June 23.

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