European Union Foreign Affairs Council: EU initiates review of relations with Israel and strengthens support for Ukraine, May 2025
The European Union's Foreign Affairs Council, meeting on May 20, 2025 under the presidency of High Representative Kaja Kallas, adopted significant decisions on two crucial issues: the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.
In response to the intensification of Israeli military operations and the dramatic worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the European Union has decided to initiate a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, with particular attention to Israel's compliance with the obligations under Article 2 of the agreement, which enshrines respect for human rights as an essential element of the partnership. Despite Italy's opposition, the review is supported by the majority of member states and has reiterated the call for Israel to immediately unblock access to humanitarian aid.
Amnesty International, which had long been calling for this step, welcomed the news but denounced the critical delay: "Israel is committing genocide in Gaza with chilling impunity", said Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty International's office at the European institutions. The organization continues to urge the EU to review the agreement, calling for a ban on trade and investments which, as highlighted by the International Court of Justice's opinion of July 19, 2024, contribute to maintaining the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
On the same day, EU Defense and Foreign Affairs ministers discussed military and diplomatic support for Ukraine.High Representative Kaja Kallas reiterated that the EU's priority remains a full and unconditional ceasefire, already accepted by Kyiv but hindered by Moscow, which continues to intensify attacks. To increase pressure on Russia, the Council adopted the seventeenth package of economic and individual restrictive measures, aimed at limiting its access to key military technologies and reducing energy revenues financing the war, particularly targeting the Russian "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, its operators, and a major oil producer.
With regard to the situation in Syria, another topic discussed during the meetings, ministers decided to lift general economic sanctions while maintaining those related to the Assad regime. A package of 18 million euros was also announced to improve conditions in detention camps in Northeast Syria.