European Union foreign ministers will discuss the war situation in Ukraine on Monday, with Ukrainian troops advancing on Kherson, at a meeting at which they will give the go-ahead for new sanctions against Iran for its crackdown on protests against the Ayatollahs’ regime following the death of young Masha Amini in police custody.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council will be attended via videoconference by Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba, at a time when European partners are looking ahead to 2023 with the idea of securing funds and support for Kiev, with the imminent launch of the military training mission for the Ukrainian Army.
Diplomatic sources point out that it is important to take stock and «put everything together», reiterating support for Ukraine on all fronts. The meeting will serve to insist on sanctions, in addition to stressing the strategy of diplomatically isolating Russia and seeking alliances with international partners to bring them into line in the conflict in Ukraine.
After news has circulated in recent weeks that the United States has asked the Ukrainian authorities not to close the door to negotiations with Russia, in Brussels they insist that there is unity in the Western world that Kiev is the main actor at the moment and it is only up to the Ukrainians to decide when to enter a negotiating table.
«There will be some peace talks and a ceasefire, yes, but we in the West are united in the idea that it is up to Ukraine to decide the timing and we will help,» a senior EU official has said.
Other diplomatic sources reiterate the message that Ukraine is «in the driver’s seat» and it is not the role of European capitals to «push it to the negotiating table where it has to make concessions.»
On the other hand, the foreign ministers will have on the table the situation in Iran and will approve new sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the repressive wave of Tehran for the death of young Masha Amini.
According to several sources confirmed to Europa Press, the sanctions will affect some thirty individuals and entities involved in the violent repression of demonstrations in Iran. The measures will come to light on Monday in the framework of the meeting of EU foreign ministers, following the agreement at the level of ambassadors of the EU-27.
The EU continues to gather information on Tehran’s military support to Russia in the Ukrainian conflict and has already warned that it will redouble sanctions if it confirms on its side the supply of ballistic missiles to Moscow.
«If the shipment is proven we will take serious action, in the form of sanctions,» the senior European official has advanced.
