EU to discuss Russia, Iran sanctions, top up of Ukraine arms fund

A man stands next to cars destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, at a residential area in Kharkiv, December 8, 2022. REUTERS

BRUSSELS — European Union foreign ministers will meet on Monday to try to agree on further sanctions on Russia and Iran and an additional 2 billion euros ($2.11 billion) for arms deliveries to Ukraine.

However, it remained unclear whether Hungary will block some decisions, resorting to what diplomats have denounced as “blackmail diplomacy” due to a dispute over locked EU funds for Budapest.

“There is agreement, in principle, but there’s also the big elephant in the room,” a senior EU diplomat told reporters, referring to Budapest’s use of its veto power. “It’s a type of blackmail diplomacy that we would rather not see but it is what it is.”

Foreign ministers will discuss a ninth package of Russia sanctions that is set to place almost 200 more individuals and entities on the EU sanctions list.

They are also due to review new sanctions on Iranian people and organizations over human rights abuses in Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and the supply of drones to Russia.

They will also aim to top up by 2 billion euros a fund member states have used to finance arms purchases for Kyiv, but which has been largely depleted over almost 10 months of the war in Ukraine.

Ministers are expected to agree on a civilian mission to Moldova, which may ask for help in cyber defense, the fight against corruption or the strengthening of the rule of law.

Foreign ministers are also expected to pave the way for a three-year military mission to Niger, with 50-100 troops at first and later up to 300 to help the country improve their logistics and infrastructure.

One of the poorest countries in the world, Niger is seen at risk from a possible spillover of violence from neighboring Mali, where Islamist militants are gaining ground following the withdrawal of French and other European forces.

Before their meeting, ministers will talk with the counterparts from the Eastern Partnership – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – nations the EU has sought to stabilize in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

($1 = 0.9497 euros)

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