Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU is Ireland's rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. During its term it sets the agenda for Council work, chairs its meetings and represents the Council in relations with the other EU institutions. Ireland has held the presidency in 2004, 2008 and 2013.
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EU ambassadors reach preliminary deal to extend Russia sanctions for 36 months while delisting Usmanov and Fridman
EU ambassadors agreed in principle on 21 September to extend individual sanctions against Russia for 36 months while removing oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list, subject to a written procedure vote. Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, publicly opposed the delisting and argued that lifting the measures would send the wrong signal to Moscow.