European Union – Statement by M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on his arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council
**Brussels, 17 March 2025**
I’m very pleased to be here today for the Foreign Affairs Council, an important council at which we’re going to be taking decisions. Decisions about Ukraine, to go on supporting Ukraine’s resistance and increasing the cost for Russia of its war of aggression with, firstly, €4.5 billion of financial support which, in March, is going to go to the Ukrainians and, secondly, continued sanctions targeting 2,400 Russians by hitting their assets and hitting them with travel bans to increase the cost for Russia of its war of aggression.
On France’s initiative, we’re going to take decisions regarding the fight against terrorism. Sanctions are going to be imposed on the press and propaganda body of Islamic State Khorasan Province, i.e. the branch of Daesh operating today in Central and South Asia, which is causing major security problems for the whole world, but especially Europe and France.
As regards the crisis unfolding in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the most serious in the world today, we’re going to impose sanctions on nine individuals and an entity which are responsible for violating international law and international humanitarian law, and which, by their actions, have contributed to the escalation which is threatening the African Great Lakes region with a widespread conflagration. A ceasefire should now be implemented immediately and, through negotiation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rebel groups and obviously Rwanda should map the way to a just, lasting peace in the region. Those are the most important decisions that will be taken today and that demonstrate the European Union’s iron determination to make its voice heard and carry weight not just when it comes to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine but also other very important issues affecting our security.
Thank you./.
Published on 18/03/2025