EU sanctions against Russia are set to be approved by governments in time for the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday 24 February.
The 27 EU countries are on the verge of approving the proposed new sanctions, estimated at some 11 billion euros, which are expected to come into effect on Tuesday (21 February).
In the meantime, EU Foreign Ministers will meet on Monday February 20 to discuss the Russian invasion and have an informal exchange with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Ministers are also expected to meet with Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu.
The Moldovan parliament last week approved a new pro-Western government led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
The country has suffered from persistent economic turmoil, while President Maia Sandu has repeatedly accused Russia of trying to destabilize Moldova. She recently accused Moscow of plotting to overthrow the country’s leadership.
Ministers are also due to discuss Afghanistan with UN Under-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who will speak via video conference.
The next day, the ministers for European affairs must meet in Brussels and prepare the next European summit at the end of March.
Meanwhile, there is dim hope that an agreement between the EU and the UK can finally be reached on post-Brexit trade deals regarding Northern Ireland.
Last Thursday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Northern Ireland to meet local political leaders in a sign that a deal could be close.
This would end the disputes that have plagued EU-UK relations since 2020, when the Brexit divorce deal was reached.
However, Unionist politicians have so far opposed any deal that would establish a trade barrier in the sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, and have brought down the power-sharing government of Belfast nearly a year ago. Any emerging deal should also convince them.
In a relatively quiet week in the Brussels bubble, MEPs from the European Parliament committee investigating the use of the Pegasus spyware are due to visit Budapest on Monday and Tuesday.
Lawmakers should learn more about allegations of spyware abuse targeting journalists, the opposition and civil society, and should meet with journalists, judges and NGO representatives.
At the beginning of the week, a delegation of MEPs from the Civil Liberties Committee will travel to Brussels, Calais and Ter Apel (the Netherlands) to examine the passage of people to the United Kingdom and the status of reception facilities in three places.
Fr
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