Foreign ministers from major European nations expressed readiness to increase pressure on Russia, including potential new sanctions targeting the energy and banking sectors, to undermine its war efforts in Ukraine.
Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom as well as the High Representative of the European Union issued a joint statement on Thursday following the Rome meeting. The NATO Secretary General and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister also joined the gathering.
"We reiterated our readiness to step up our pressure on Russia as it continues to refuse serious and credible commitments, including through further sanctions and countering their circumvention," the foreign ministers' statement said.
The Rome meeting occurred amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine, which Moscow claims are in retaliation for recent Ukrainian strikes inside Russia. Earlier this month, representatives from both sides met in Istanbul for inconclusive peace talks that failed to produce a ceasefire, despite calls from Ukraine, European allies, and the U.S.
The Europeans said on Thursday they were "ready to swiftly adopt new measures (notably in the energy and banking sectors) aimed at undermining" Russia's war effort.
They stressed they would keep frozen Russian sovereign assets in their jurisdiction "until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused."
"We are prepared to enhance our support, including through improving defence industrial cooperation with Ukraine, and exploring additional forms of security and defence cooperation," the statement said, without elaborating.
They expressed committment to supporting Ukraine’s economic stability under its IMF programme, ensuring it has sufficient fiscal assistance for 2026 and beyond, and its recovery and reconstruction, in close coordination with our international partners.
The Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be hosted by Italy in July 2025, will represent a pivotal moment for advancing such efforts.
Additionally, European foreign ministers reiterated the importance of strengthening European defence capabilities by increasing national security and defence spending in a flexible and sustainable way, enabling effective deterrence and defence across all domains in the Euro-Atlantic area.
"The Atlantic Alliance remains the cornerstone of our collective defence. The NATO Summit in The Hague will demonstrate our unity, based on an enduring transatlantic bond, an ironclad commitment to defend each other, and fair burden-sharing. The Summit must take further decisions to build a stronger Alliance, prepared to defend every inch of the Allied territory," -the statement said.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are engaged in discussions about the potential export of various products from Armenia to Azerbaijan, as confirmed by Armenia's...
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has urged the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to “do its part for national unity” amid ongoing cla...
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday (January 9) accused protesters of acting on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump....
Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad a...
Azerbaijan has dispatched a new rail shipment of petroleum products to Armenia, marking a continued resumption of trade following the lifting of long ...
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding territorial disputes and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant have drawn significant international attention.
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
Snow and ice caused travel chaos in northwest Europe on Wednesday, while others were delighted by the snow-covered streets of Paris, venturing out on sledges and skis.
The U.S. dollar has strengthened against major peers on Tuesday, while the euro fell following slower-than-expected inflation in Europe. Market movements were relatively subdued as investors focused on upcoming U.S. economic data.
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
Hungary’s foreign minister on Wednesday criticised European plans to establish military hubs in Ukraine, saying the move risks pushing Europe closer to a direct confrontation with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to target Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, with an operation similar to the recent U.S. action that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad and Kabul.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the U.S. is “gradually turning away” from some of its allies and “breaking free from international rules”.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment