Foreign Affairs Minister Baerbock in discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, focusing on matters concerning Ukraine, Iran, and Afghanistan, in Brussels.

The European Union's Foreign Affairs Council convened today to address a range of pressing international matters, including the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the situation in Iran, and the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

One of the main topics on the agenda was the sanctions package aimed at increasing pressure on President Putin and the Russian leadership to end the invasion of Ukraine. The Council discussed potential strategies to further exert pressure on Russia, but the preparation for the next, tenth sanctions package was not included in today's discussions.

The Council also addressed the legal prosecution of Russian crimes related to the illegal war against Ukraine. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were discussed as key organizations central to this legal process.

In addition to Ukraine, the Council deliberated on the Taliban's misogynistic policies and joint responses. The Taliban has imposed new bans excluding women and girls from universities and barring them from working for non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan, worsening the human rights situation.

The Council also discussed the cooperation with Ethiopia following the peace treaty between the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) last November. The Ministers considered options for enhanced engagement with Ethiopia, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Catherine Colonna having recently traveled to Ethiopia to discuss matters and briefing their counterparts on their discussions at today's Council.

The Council's discussions did not include the preparation for the next, eleventh sanctions package against Russia, additional aid for Ukraine, military support under the "European Peace Facility", the EU-Ukraine summit on February 3, the clear guideline for the German government that Ukraine belongs to Europe and should eventually become an EU member, or the situation in Iran and the adoption of a fourth sanctions package.

The Council also addressed the situation in Iran, with the EU set to exert new pressure on the Iranian regime to stop its violent crackdown on Iranian citizens through the implementation of new listings under the existing EU human rights sanctions regime.

In the Sahel region and West Africa, terrorist groups are spreading, and the EU aims to counter this by strengthening democratic societies with security support, civilian stabilization measures, combating climate change, and strategic communication against Russian influence.

The Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohamed Shtayyeh, was a guest at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels for discussions on the situation in the Palestinian territories, EU support for reforms, and the Middle East peace process.

The Council's discussions concluded with a focus on the upcoming EU-Ukraine summit on February 3, where the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for democracy and sovereignty is expected to be reaffirmed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Baerbock in discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, focusing on matters concerning Ukraine, Iran, and Afghanistan, in Brussels.