COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Friday, 12 September 2025

● Council of the EU   12/09/2025 20:00 | Press release | Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU individual sanctions over territorial integrity prolonged for a further six months   The Council decided today to prolong the restrictive measures targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months, until 15 March 2026. The existing restrictive measures provide for a travel ban for natural persons, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories, the freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed individuals and entities. Sanctions will continue to apply to over 2 500 individuals and entities targeted in response to Russia’s ongoing unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. In the context of the sanctions' review, the Council also decided not to renew the listings of one individual, and to remove one deceased person from the list. After 24 February 2022, in response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the EU massively expanded sanctions against Russia with the aim of significantly weakening Russia's economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets, and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war. The European Union remains ready to step up pressure on Russia, including by adopting further sanctions. The link to the list will be added to this press release once it is published in the EU Official Journal. Consolidated text (20.07.2025): Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024 EU sanctions against Russia explained (background information)   Visit the website

● European Council

12/09/2025 16:22 | Press release | António Costa's 'Tour des Capitales': preview for week 3   The President of the European Council, António Costa, is visiting EU leaders in their member states in the first three weeks of September. This 'Tour des Capitales' allows President Costa to gather views from the heads of state or government about the EU’s agenda and to prepare the ground for upcoming European Council meetings and international summits. In his meetings with leaders, President Costa will discuss their political priorities as well as working methods of the European Council. Schedule for week 3 President Costa will meet the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Athens on 15 September. On the same day, he will hold a meeting with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, in Rome. On 16 September, he will meet the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris, as well as the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, in Madrid. On 17 September, he will be in Luxembourg for a meeting with Prime Minister Luc Frieden. Finally, on 19 September President Costa will meet the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, in Porto, where he will also attend the Porto Social Forum. Week 1 of the Tour des Capitales Week 2 of the Tour des Capitales Background President Costa will visit most EU countries between 1 and 19 September. He will hold consultations with leaders he has not met during this tour in the coming weeks. President Costa visits EU capitals   Visit the website  General Secretariat of the Council   12/09/2025 17:35 | Press release | Forward look: 15 - 28 September 2025   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. General Affairs Council, 16 September 2025 Ministers responsible for European affairs will start preparations for the October European Council by discussing an annotated draft agenda. The Commission will present a letter of intent and the Council will hold an exchange of views on legislative programming. As part of the annual rule of law dialogue, ministers will hold a horizontal discussion on general developments related to the rule of law situation in the EU. Ministers will also exchange views on the general trend of the rule of law situation in selected candidate countries, namely Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.  Read more Environment Council, 18 September 2025 Ministers will discuss the amendment to the European climate law, which establishes a proposed intermediate net emissions reduction target for 2040. At the same meeting, environment ministers will discuss an updated EU nationally determined contribution (NDC) for 2035, to be submitted to the UNFCCC ahead of COP30. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 22-23 September 2025 Over the course of a two-day meeting, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council will discuss the post-2027 common agricultural policy, trade-related agricultural issues and support for the common fisheries policy for 2028-2034. Moreover, fisheries ministers will hold an exchange of views on the upcoming EU-UK and EU-Norway and coastal states fisheries consultations for 2026. Fisheries ministers will also discuss ways of unlocking smarter and simpler fisheries regulations over an informal lunch. Read more Other meetings Informal meeting of health ministers, 15-16 September 2025 Eurogroup, 19 September 2025 Informal meeting of economic and financial affairs ministers, 19-20 September 2025 UN General Assembly, New York, 23-29 September 2025   Indicative calendar of meetings under the Danish presidency (1 July - 31 December 2025) Danish presidency   Visit the website