EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and matters concerning China

EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 17 October. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will represent Finland at the meeting.

The Foreign Affairs Council will continue the discussion on Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Finland strongly condemns Russia’s attempts to change the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine. Finland supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Finland responds to Russia’s actions as part of the European Union.

“The EU foreign ministers will discuss Russia’s illegal attack on Ukraine during a new phase of the war. Strikes in cities outside war zones, with missiles indiscriminately hitting civilian targets, can be considered terrorist acts under international humanitarian law. As things stand now, the EU must further increase its support to Ukraine, and our agenda will definitely also include additional sanctions against Russia,” Foreign Minister Haavisto comments on the upcoming Council meeting.

Foreign ministers will also discuss China. Finland considers it important to strengthen the EU’s resilience and emphasises the unity of the Union in relation to China. 

In addition, the Ministers will discuss the current situation in Iran, Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU Global Gateway Strategy and the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate change (COP 27), which will be held in Egypt on 6–18 November.

Inquiries

  • Tomi Nyström, Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 470
  • Lauri Hirvonen, European Correspondent, Director of the Unit for European Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), tel. +358 295 350 063
  • The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi