Council of the EU 29/01/2026 21:19 | Meetings | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 29 January 2026

 The Council of the EU 

Meetings

Thursday, 29 January 20

● Council of the EU

29/01/2026 21:19 | Meetings |

Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 29 January 2026

 

The Foreign Affairs Council discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the Great Lakes Region and held an informal discussion on the strategic outlook 2026 and on human rights with the UN High Commissioner for human rights.

Foreign Affairs Council

Foreign Affairs Council, 29 January 2026

Main results

Russian aggression against Ukraine

The Foreign Affairs Council discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The discussion started with a VTC intervention of the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, who provided an overview of the situation on the ground, Ukraine’s most urgent priorities, and recent diplomatic developments.

The ensuing EU27 discussion focused first on Russian massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the need to provide Ukraine with energy support.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council</p>

It was a war crime to attack civilian infrastructure like energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools, apartment buildings. Russia is failing to win on the battlefield, so it tries to weaponise the winter. Now, energy is the new front line. The EU is responding with the biggest ever winter aid package.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

The Council then discussed how to increase pressure on Russia, touching on the decision to add Russia to the list of countries at risk of money laundering, and ongoing work on the €90 billion loan and the 20th sanctions package.

Ministers touched on ongoing work to finalise the EU's contributions to the security guarantees for Ukraine and to expand military training to Ukrainian territory and support for the Ukrainian defence industry.

The High Representative stressed that accountability remains essential, and therefore last week, the EU allocated the first €10 million to help set up a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Lastly, the Council imposed restrictive measures targeting 6 individuals in light of Russia’s continued hybrid activities, including Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) against the EU and its member states and partners.

Russian hybrid threats: Council sanctions six individuals over information manipulation activities (press release, 29 January 2026)

European Council, 18 December 2025, Ukraine 

Russia's war against Ukraine (background information)

EU military support for Ukraine (background information)

EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)

Situation in the Middle East

The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, beginning with the situation in Iran, in light of the recent wave of violent repression of dissent and arbitrary detention of demonstrators by the Iranian regime.

The Council adopted restrictive measures against 15 persons and six entities, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), involved in the use of violence, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics against Iranian civilians. Additionally, the Council adopted restrictive measures under the drones and missiles regime in view of Iran’s support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Iran: Council adopts new sanctions over serious human rights violations and Iran’s continued support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (press release, 29 January 2026)

In Iran, horrific crackdown on protesters has come at heavy human cost. The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place. Today, ministers agreed to designate the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. This will put them on the same footing with Daesh, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda. […] Repression cannot go unanswered.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

Concerning Syria, EU Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the latest developments in the country, including the recent eruption of violence in the North-East. Ministers reviewed the work done at EU level on diplomatic presence and humanitarian support but also focused on the threats to the stability of the country. Overall, ministers emphasised that an inclusive political transition and national reconciliation process are key to preventing Syria from sliding back into instability.

Furthermore, ministers discussed the EU’s contribution to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict, following the US announcement of 14 January on the launch of the second phase of the plan, with a focus on security, governance and reconstruction.

In this context, ministers focused on the issue of enhanced CSDP engagement, including through adjusted mandates for the EU civilian missions EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS to train the Palestinian civil police.

Ultimately, the security of Gaza must lie in the hands of the Palestinians.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

On governance, EU Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the possible EU role in the “Board of Peace”, following up on the informal meeting of the members of the European Council of 22 January 2026. Ministers expressed readiness to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

The Foreign Affairs Council also discussed the humanitarian situation and access to Gaza, including the issue of NGO registrations, the deteriorating situation in the West Bank with growing settlement activity and violence, as well as the EU support for the Palestinian Authority and its reform programme.

European Council conclusions, 18 December 2025 

EU position on the situation in the Middle East (background information)

EU humanitarian support for Palestinians (background information)

EU relations with Syria (background information)

Syria: Council approves conclusions (23 June 2025)

Iran: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in the country (press release, 9 January 2026)

EU sanctions against Iran (background information)

Great Lakes Region

The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the situation in the Great Lakes Region, in light of the recent escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Following up on discussions at the December Foreign Affairs Council, EU ministers discussed how the EU can support peace efforts based on the Washington Accords and the Doha Declaration, as well as the African Union mediation efforts. EU Foreign Ministers also focused on how to address the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and how the EU can intensify diplomatic engagement on the ground and support regional stabilisation efforts.

Midterm report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (UN website) 

A renewed EU Great Lakes strategy: Council approves conclusions (20 February 2023)

EU-Africa relations (background information)

Other discussions and decisions

The Council held an informal discussion in restrictive format on the strategic foreign policy outlook for 2026 in light of current political developments.

Over a working lunch, EU foreign affairs ministers held an informal exchange of views with the UN High Commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, discussing human rights in conflict and crisis settings, with a focus on Ukraine, the Middle East and the Great Lakes region.

The Council also approved conclusions on the priorities of the European Union in United Nations Human Rights fora in 2026.

The Council adopted further sanctions against 7 people responsible for violence and violations of human rights in Sudan.

Sudan: Council sanctions seven individuals in view of the dramatic escalation of violence in the country (press release, 29 January 2026)

The Council adopted the second bilateral assistance measure in support of Armenia worth €20 million under the European Peace Facility.

European Peace Facility: Council adopts the second bilateral assistance measure in support of Armenia (press release, 29 January 2026)