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.
European stock markets closed lower on Friday as heightened tensions in the Middle East rattled investors, overshadowing optimism from improving US-China trade relations.
NVIDIA unveiled plans on Wednesday to build the world’s first industrial AI cloud in Germany, aiming to revolutionize European manufacturing with a 10,000-GPU facility and partnerships with industry leaders like BMW, Siemens, and Mercedes-Benz.
The European Commission confirmed on Thursday it will postpone the implementation of new international banking regulations by a year, citing concerns over global alignment and competitiveness.
Ahead of the IAEA meeting in Vienna, Iran’s foreign minister reaffirmed the country’s refusal to halt uranium enrichment and warned Europe against seeking renewed UN sanctions, calling such efforts a “major strategic mistake.”
As NATO’s annual summit approaches later this month, allied defense chiefs are set to meet in Brussels Thursday for talks on key agenda items, with a proposed overhaul of defense spending targets in focus.
UN Security Council hears Israel and Iran clash over recent nuclear strikes, with both sides presenting sharply opposing views amid growing regional tensions.
Iran launched a third wave of missile attacks early Saturday, targeting Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, with several buildings reportedly destroyed, according to Israeli media.
Israeli airstrikes have hit an area near Mehrabad Airport in western Tehran.
Israel struck the Shahid Raisi Nuclear Power Plant in Isfahan early Saturday, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
Israel’s military confirmed early Saturday that Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward the country, triggering sirens and explosions across multiple areas.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
Kazakhstan and the UK are strengthening defense ties with a new Military Cooperation Plan, focusing on peacekeeping and military education.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
UN Security Council hears Israel and Iran clash over recent nuclear strikes, with both sides presenting sharply opposing views amid growing regional tensions.
Iran launched a third wave of missile attacks early Saturday, targeting Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, with several buildings reportedly destroyed, according to Israeli media.
Israeli airstrikes have hit an area near Mehrabad Airport in western Tehran.
Israel struck the Shahid Raisi Nuclear Power Plant in Isfahan early Saturday, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
Israel’s military confirmed early Saturday that Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward the country, triggering sirens and explosions across multiple areas.
UN Security Council hears Israel and Iran clash over recent nuclear strikes, with both sides presenting sharply opposing views amid growing regional tensions.
Iran launched a third wave of missile attacks early Saturday, targeting Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, with several buildings reportedly destroyed, according to Israeli media.
Israeli airstrikes have hit an area near Mehrabad Airport in western Tehran.
Israel struck the Shahid Raisi Nuclear Power Plant in Isfahan early Saturday, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
Israel’s military confirmed early Saturday that Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward the country, triggering sirens and explosions across multiple areas.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment