In Belgium, the EU Foreign Affairs Committee and its defence subcommittee discuss topics such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Russian shadow fleet.
The meeting, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, brought together EU foreign and defence ministers to strengthen support for Ukraine and Europe's defence capabilities.
During the meeting, Member States' foreign ministers held a video conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Serbira to reaffirm their support for Ukraine.
The Council of the European Union issued a press release stating that it has formally adopted the 17th round of sanctions against Russia, including sanctions on 189 ships of the "shadow fleet" used by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions, a ban on docking in EU ports and the suspension of related maritime services. This is the largest ever package of sanctions against the "shadow fleet". Currently, 342 Russian ships are subject to EU sanctions.
In addition, the EU has also placed Surgut Oil & Gas Company, a major Russian oil and gas company, and a Russian oil transport company on the sanctions list in this round of sanctions to further limit Russian oil and gas revenues. In addition, the EU has imposed sanctions on a number of entities and individuals, including freezing their assets and banning them from entering the country.