European Council

Press briefing ahead the special European Council of 24 February 2022

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

The Council agreed on a package of measures to respond to the decision by the Russian Federation to proceed with the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities, and the ensuing decision to send Russian troops into these areas.

European Council President Charles Michel invited EU leaders to a special meeting on Ukraine on Thursday 24 February. It will take place in person in Brussels and start at 20:00.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/152 of 3 February 2022 updating the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/1192.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/24 of 10 January 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua.

The EU issued a declaration strongly condemning the decision by President Putin to recognise the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities and the ensuing decision to send Russian troops into these areas.

Statement by the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission on Russian aggression against Ukraine

Under this recommendation, COVID-19 restrictions should be applied taking into account both the situation in the third country and the individual status of the person.

Co-Chairs Statement issued following the GCC-EU 26th Session of the Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting.

Press statement by President Charles Michel of the European Council and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, 21 February 2022.

The Council adds five members of the Makhlouf family to the list of persons and entities subject to targeted EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.

The Council added two persons and two groups to the EU sanctions regime against ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.

The Council imposed restrictive measures on 22 persons and 4 entities, in view of the continuing grave situation and of intensifying human rights violations in Myanmar/Burma.

The Council imposed restrictive measures on 5 individuals for actively supporting actions and implementing policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The off-the-record technical briefing on latest disinformation trends and campaigns related to the crisis around Ukraine will take place on 22 February at 14.00.

The Council approved two sets of conclusions on the Coordinated Maritime Presences concept, extending the implementation of the pilot case in the Gulf of Guinea by two years, and establishing a new Maritime Area of Interest in the North-Western Indian Ocean.

The EU issued a declaration reiterating its ambition for a more constructive relationship with Zimbabwe at all levels, but also expressing concerns about developments concerning the respect of human rights

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

The Council approved conclusions setting out EU's priorities for accelerating the implementation of the COP 26 Glasgow through climate diplomacy in 2022.