Key facts
- EU Foreign Ministers are meeting to discuss a potential ban on trade with Israeli settlements.
- The proposal to ban settlement trade is divided among member states regarding its classification as foreign policy or trade.
- Ministers will also discuss further sanctions against Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- A report on online dangers for minors is expected, which could lead to an EU-wide social media ban for young people.
- The 'Coalition of the Willing' will meet in Paris to discuss continued support for Ukraine.
- US strikes on Iran have intensified tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting oil prices.
EU Foreign Ministers are gathering in Brussels for a critical meeting that will address a range of pressing issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and a contentious proposal to restrict trade with Israeli settlements.
The proposal, which the European Commission suggests should be treated as a foreign policy tool requiring unanimous consent, has sparked debate among member states. Some diplomats accuse the Commission of employing 'delay tactics,' while others emphasize the importance of aligning trade policy with international law. A group of countries, including France and Sweden, is expected to push for the ban to be classified as a trade measure, which could pass with a qualified majority.
Before delving into settlement trade, ministers will attend a breakfast focused on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, with a specific emphasis on Ukrainian detainees. They are also expected to endorse further sanctions against Russian detention facilities.
However, reaching a broader agreement on the 21st package of sanctions against Russia remains challenging, as an extraordinary meeting of ambassadors on Sunday failed to resolve multiple outstanding issues. The urgency is heightened by the approaching July 15 deadline, after which the price cap on Russian oil could automatically increase from $44 to potentially $58 per barrel, a prospect that Brussels is keen to avoid.
In a surprising development, Austria has reiterated its request to lift sanctions on investment firm Rasperia, a move widely rejected last year due to concerns about setting a precedent.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced significant government reshuffles, with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko expected to step down. Rumors suggest Sergii Koretskyi, head of Naftogaz, could be a potential successor.
Additionally, a report commissioned by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the dangers minors face online is set to be unveiled. This report is expected to provide scientific backing for potential EU-wide social media bans for young people.
Separately, leaders from the 'Coalition of the Willing' will convene in Paris to discuss continued support for Ukraine, aiming to demonstrate sustained Western commitment.
In related news, the US has launched further strikes on Iran, intensifying tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and leading to a climb in oil prices. European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is also in Gibraltar to finalize an EU-UK agreement that will facilitate the removal of a border fence.