Earlier today, EU Defence Ministers meeting at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels discussed the possibility of sending an EU mission with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate expires at the end of 2026. EU ministers expressed support for extending UNIFIL’s mandate while also discussing the possibility of the EU contributing with its own mission should conditions require it.
UNIFIL, established by the United Nations Security Council in 1978, is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, and assisting in the protection of civilians in southern Lebanon. However, the mission’s effectiveness has frequently been criticised as limited, particularly during repeated escalations between Israel and Hezbollah. UNIFIL personnel have also repeatedly faced harassment, attacks, and casualties during hostilities, both by the IDF and Hezbollah.
EU ministers also discussed reinforcing Operation ASPIDES, the EU naval mission tasked with protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding maritime corridors. The EU Council is considering the possibility of extending the mission from the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf and discussions were also held on the security of commercial shipping in the region.
During the same meeting, EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas confirmed that the first disbursement of the European Union’s €90 billion support loan package for Ukraine will be delivered in June 2026. However, Kallas stressed that European countries must continue increasing bilateral military and financial support to Ukraine despite the new EU package.
The EU High Representative warned that Russia is continuing to transform its economy into a long-term war economy capable of sustaining confrontation with Europe over the coming years. She argued that Europe must strengthen deterrence and defence readiness, warning ministers that “weakness only invites aggression.”
EU ministers also discussed strengthening Europe’s defence-industrial capacity, increasing military production, and removing political and operational obstacles slowing the implementation of the EU’s defence readiness agenda
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