Foreign Affairs Council: conclusions on European security situation and other results

European security situation

The Foreign Affairs Council was updated on the latest developments in Russia's military build-up around Ukraine and had a discussion on the European security situation, covering also the situation in Belarus and Kazakhstan.

In the context of this discussion, ministers had the opportunity to informally exchange views via video teleconference with US Secretary of StateAntony Blinken.

The Council has approved conclusions on the European security situation, asserting that European security is indivisible and that any challenge to the European security order affects the security of the EU and its member states.

In its conclusions, the Council condemns Russia's continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine, and it calls on Russia to de-escalate, abide by international law and engage constructively in dialogue through the established international mechanisms. As stated by the EU heads of state and government at the European Council meeting in December 2021, any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs.

The EU confirms its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and other Eastern Neighbourhood partners within their internationally recognised borders, and it calls on Russia to re-engage constructively in existing international frameworks for the sustainable and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The Council reaffirms the united approach of the EU and the ongoing strong cooperation and coordination with the United States, NATO, Ukraine and other partner countries. It reiterates the importance of further strengthening the resilience and response capabilities of the EU and its close partners, including in countering cyber and hybrid attacks, foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation.

Speaking at the press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said: "The most important take-away is that we have reconfirmed our strong unity and our united approach on the challenges to European security. Our unity is our strength, and there is no doubt in the Council about this. In this regard, we agreed Council Conclusions that you have already seen - and they are, more or less, the ones we agreed on the informal meeting at Brest."

Furthermore, he highlighted the three elements that will guide the way forward: "First, our collective diplomatic efforts to convince Russia to take the path of dialogue will continue, even though the Russian rhetoric does not inspire a lot of confidence.

From this point of view, Ministers have tasked me to continue coordinating the European Union position with all our key partners, notably the United States, NATO and the OSCE Chairmanship-in-office to ensure the effectiveness of our efforts. And we call on Russia to continue engaging constructively in established mechanisms, such as the OSCE and the NATO - Russia Council. We must also continue to support the efforts to reactivate the Normandy 4 process and the work of the Trilateral Contact Group on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

We will also continue engaging with our international partners to explain what is happening in Europe and the Russian threats, and to try to clarify the disinformation that Russia is wide spreading about these facts. We need to step up our strategic communication and push back disinformation. I invite you to have a look at the EUvsDisinfo publications in the network, where we debunk some dangerous narratives that are being spread. Today we have put on this webpage an explanation about the seven myths that Russia is wide spreading about what is happening on the Eastern border of Europe.

Secondly, should diplomacy fail - we are going to do our best for diplomacy to work - we are very well advanced in preparations of responses to a potential Russian aggression. And, certainly, it will be a quick and determined action with strong unity - not only within the European Union, but also internationally.

Thirdly, we must step up our efforts to enhance Ukraine's and other partners' resilience. There are concrete actions that we can take and that we are taking."

Syria

The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on Syria based on information provided by the Special Envoy of the United Nations Geir Pedersen.

After more than a decade, the conflict in Syria is far from over and remains the source of suffering and instability.

The Council reiterated its call for a political solution and underlined that no normalisation, nor lifting of sanctions or reconstruction are possible until the Syrian regime engages in a political transition. Ministers once more demanded that the regime and its allies engage towards the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 2254.

The EU will work with like-minded partners, including the Arab League, to help the Syrian people and move the political process forward. It plans to organise the sixth Brussels Conference in May 2022, to generate funding for the Syrian people and for refugee-hosting communities, give voice to Syrian civil society, and add momentum for a political solution to the conflict.

Mali

Concerning Mali, ministers condemned the presence of the Wagner group on the ground, and the decision taken by the Malian authorities to have a longer transition period of four years.

More information

Foreign Affairs Council, 24 January 2022 - main results

Council conclusions on the European security situation

Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell

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