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Good morning,  

There is real traffic today, everybody wants to talk to you is which is great. We are gathered here in Luxembourg for the Foreign Affairs Council, and we have many, many topics on the agenda. And then afterwards we also have the High-Level Political Dialogue with Palestine.  

First, of course, we start with Ukraine. We see the deadliest attacks in this war, civilians are being killed. And, it is already one month into this period where Ukraine agreed to unconditional ceasefire. We have not seen that from the Russian side. What is clear is that we need to support Ukraine more, and I am happy to see that we already have two thirds of my ammunition initiative together. But of course, we need to do more. This year, European countries have already committed to €23 billion, which is more than last year, but we also need to put the pressure on Russia, so that they would stop this war. 

Then, we have the Western Balkans. We had a very good dinner yesterday, talking and discussing with our Western Balkan friends. We see the tensions rising and we definitely need to move with the enlargement process because this is something that is really tangible. And we really need success stories here. 

Then, we discuss Africa. We have the [European Union -] African [Union] Summit coming, and we have the Ministerial before. So, we prepare for that: how we can engage more with Africa to really grow our geopolitical power. 

Then, afterwards we have the High-Level Political Dialogue with Palestine, where we are going to discuss a lot of issues. But before that we also have the discussion on the Middle East, whether to go forward with the relief of Syrian sanctions, what is happening in Gaza.  

We are the biggest donors of humanitarian aid to Gaza. What more can we do to stop this really appalling loss of life there.  

Thank you. As we have a press conference as well, so the others can also talk to you. 


Q&A 

Q. Yesterday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the next Chancellor of course, renewed his offer to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine in response to the Sumy attack. He also said it needs to be coordinated among European allies. So, what do you think would be the right decision? 

Of course, every Member State is giving what they can give, but I think the message is very clear. We need to do more, so that Ukraine can defend itself and the civilians do not have to die. 

Q. What kind [inaudible] the EU is willing to take today? 

Of course, we are going to discuss but right now I think we have to put the pressure - the maximum pressure - on Russia to really end this war because it takes two to want peace, it only takes one to want war. And we see that Russia really wants war and all those who want the killing to stop should put the maximum pressure on Russia. 

Thank you. 
 

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