High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is the official who leads the EU's common foreign and security policy. The post was created by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009. The High Representative also serves as a Vice-President of the European Commission and chairs the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU.
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Zelensky says Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian oil refineries after US-requested pause
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Financial Times that Ukraine is lifting its moratorium on strikes against Russian oil refineries. He said Ukraine had paused strikes on Russian energy infrastructure for three days at the request of the United States, but that during the pause Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy, the United States did not provide advance warning of Russian ballistic strikes on Kyiv, and SpaceX restricted Starshield terminals to a 160 km/h speed threshold. Zelensky said he could agree to stop again only in exchange for additional Patriot interceptors.
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EU ambassadors agree on largest Russia sanctions package to date, targeting 1,500 individuals and companies
EU member-state ambassadors agreed on October 7 to add 743 individuals and 826 companies linked to Russia's military-industrial complex to the EU sanctions list, along with 77 people 'elected' to the Russian State Duma from occupied Ukrainian territories. The package also extends the chemical-weapons sanctions regime covering 31 individuals and six organizations. Formal approval is scheduled at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on October 12 in Luxembourg.
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EU member states agree on how to release €6.6 billion from European Peace Fund for Ukraine
EU member states agreed on conditions for releasing €6.6 billion from the European Peace Fund for Ukraine, ending a freeze imposed since spring 2023 by Hungary's veto. The announcement was made on 25 September by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, who called the deal "good news for Ukraine and bad news for Russia." The deal still requires formal adoption by EU defense ministers.
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EU's Kallas to propose sanctions over Russian Duma vote on occupied Ukrainian territories
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced she will propose sanctions against individuals who facilitated holding Russian State Duma elections on Ukraine's occupied territories. She made the announcement in a post on X, describing the vote as a "simulation of democracy" and another serious blow to Russian democracy.