COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,update

 

Press material Saturday, 14 March 2026

● Council of the EU   14/03/2026 16:45 | Press release | Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU extends individual listings over Ukraine's territorial integrity 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 September 2026. Individual listings will continue to apply to around 2 600 individuals and entities, who were targeted in response to Russia’s ongoing unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. The current restrictive measures include travel restrictions for natural persons, the freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed individuals and entities. In the context of the sanctions' review, the Council also decided not to renew the listings of two individuals and to remove five deceased persons 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. As stated in the text supported by 25 Heads of State or Government on the occasion of the European Council on 18 December 2025, the EU reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. The EU remains determined to maintain and increase pressure on Russia to stop its brutal war of aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards peace. European Council, 18 December 2025, Ukraine European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024 EU sanctions against Russia: questions and answers (background information)   Visit the website

● European Council

12/03/2026 21:05 | Press release | European Council of 19-20 March 2026 - Invitation letter by President António Costa to the members of the European Council   Dear colleagues, I would like to invite you to our March European Council, that will take place on 19 March. The military escalation in the Middle East is causing global instability, and its negative consequences are already being felt in Europe. We will therefore discuss the situation in Iran and the region, and our response to its geopolitical and economic fall-out, including as regards energy prices and energy security. Together, we must identify the instruments we need to mobilise to ensure a timely, coordinated and effective response that protects our citizens and our companies, while at the same time working towards de-escalation and stability in the region. As we work together to deal with this crisis, we should also keep the focus on our strategic competitiveness agenda, which becomes all the more pressing. That is why we will now translate the sense of urgency of our discussions in Alden Biesen into a new “One Europe, One Market” agenda, consisting of concrete measures and ambitious deadlines. The overall purpose of this agenda is to strengthen European competitiveness, enhance our strategic autonomy and reinforce the foundations of our social model. The implementation of these measures, taken together, will contribute to our prosperity and the overall affordability of daily life for our citizens, and make the European Union more resilient to future crises. All of this requires clear and sustained political guidance from the European Council, in March and beyond. In this context, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 will be decisive. I would like us to discuss the contribution of the new EU long-term budget to our competitiveness agenda, because it will be the main instrument at our disposal for common strategic action. At the same time, we need to have an honest discussion about how we can match our ambitions with the appropriate level of financing. We will come back to the MFF regularly during 2026, to create the conditions for a timely agreement. We will hear from President Zelenskyy at the beginning of our discussion about Ukraine. We will reaffirm our steadfast support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression and strives for a just and lasting peace. Increasing pressure on Russia until it engages in meaningful negotiations towards peace remains essential. We will also address the worrying situation in Lebanon, and Gaza and the West Bank. I have invited the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to join us for a working lunch to discuss the deteriorating international situation and how the European Union, working with its partners, can act to defend multilateralism. It will be crucial to review ongoing efforts to increase our defence readiness. The current geopolitical context once more demonstrates how urgent they are. We need to continue to push for rapid progress in strengthening the Europe of defence – including in its industrial dimension – as a fundamental component of Europe’s strategic autonomy. We will also have the opportunity to take stock of progress in the field of migration. This remains a political priority for us all, and the worsening situation in the Middle East reminds us of the need to move forward with our asylum and migration agenda. Despite the many important topics, my aim is to keep our meeting to one day, if our discussions allow for it. We will start on Thursday 19 March at 10h00 with our traditional exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament. I have invited European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis to share their economic analysis in the framework of a Euro Summit in inclusive format. I look forward to seeing you in Brussels,  António Costa Invitation letter   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   16/03/2026 11:28 | Press release | Disarmament: Council adopts decision supporting African capacities towards a mine-free continent   The Council today adopted a decision supporting efforts to strengthen African capacities for mine action, contributing to the objective of a mine-free Africa. Through this decision, the EU will support African countries affected by anti-personnel landmines in strengthening their national mine-action programmes and accelerating progress towards fulfilling their international obligations. The EU’s support will help build national capacities for mine clearance, promote the development of effective clearance strategies and facilitate the exchange of expertise among affected states. The action will also contribute to improving the safety, livelihoods and development prospects of communities living in mine-affected areas, as well as fostering regional peace and security. With a budget of €3 million and a duration of 36 months, the project will be implemented by the United Nations institute for disarmament research (UNIDIR) and is expected to benefit several African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. Next steps Following the adoption of the decision, the implementation will be carried out by UNIDIR in cooperation with the EU and relevant African partners. Activities will focus on strengthening national mine-action capacities, supporting clearance efforts and promoting the exchange of best practices among affected states. Background Anti-personnel landmines continue to pose a serious threat to civilians and hamper development in many parts of the world, including Africa. Landmines are covered by the Ottawa Convention, which entered into effect since March 1999 and constitutes the central international framework for ending the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines. As of 2026, 161 states are party to the Convention, including most of the African countries. However, several African states still have obligations under Article 5 of the Convention to clear mined areas under their jurisdiction. The EU has long been a strong supporter of global efforts to eliminate anti-personnel landmines and address their humanitarian consequences. The EU is among the leading global donors in the field of mine action. The decision adopted today contributes to the implementation of the Siem Reap-Angkor action plan (2025-2029), which sets out the priorities for the global mine-action community to advance towards a world free of anti-personnel landmines. Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control (EEAS) EU-Africa relations (background information)   Visit the website Press service European Parliament       Press alert 16-03-2026 SANT   SANT | 18-19 March | Cardiovascular strategy, rare diseases, Biotech Act, pharmaceutical package       Meeting of the Committee on Public Health Wednesday 18 March 2026, 9.00 – 11.30 Brussels, Room ANTALL 4Q1 Watch the meeting live DEBATES An EU cardiovascular diseases strategy - procedure file; rapporteur Romana Jerković (S&D, HR) - Consideration of amendments *** Establishing the European Competitiveness Fund ('ECF’) - procedure file: rapporteur for the SANT opinion Radan Kanev (EPP, BG) - Consideration of amendments *** Critical Medicines Act - procedure file, rapporteur Tomislav Sokol (EPP, HR) - Reporting back to committee on the negotiations *** VOTES Pilot projects and preparatory actions (PPPAs) for the 2027 Union budget - Adoption of proposals *** Pharmaceutical package: Authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and governing rules for the European Medicines Agency (regulation) - procedure file, rapporteur Tiemo Wölken (S&D, DE) and Medicinal products for human use (directive) - procedure file, rapporteur Dolors Montserrat (EPP, ES) - Votes on the provisional agreements resulting from interinstitutional negotiations (regulation & directive) *** WORKSHOP - Rare diseases - Presentations by invited experts (Joke Wuyts - Team leader - rare diseases and researcher, Sciensano; Annabelle Calomme - Scientist, Health Services Research, Rare Diseases Team, Sciensano; Professor Annette Grüters-Kieslich - Senator and Spokesperson of the Paediatric and Gynaecological Section of LEOPOLDINA, physician at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin) followed by exchanges with rapporteurs & shadows of the SANT INL on rare diseases and SANT members. Details and programme *** Thursday 19 March 2026, 9.00 – 11.00 Brussels, Room ANTALL 4Q1 Watch the meeting live DEBATES EU rare disease action plan - procedure file; rapporteur Nicolás González Casares (S&D, ES) - Consideration of draft report *** Excellence in health science - Exchange of views with Prof. Roel Vermeulen: STOA Study - Human Exposome Research - One Year After: Progress and Perspectives *** Joint meeting SANT-ITRE European Biotech Act - procedure file; co-rapporteurs Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D, LT ) & Wouter Beke (EPP, BE) - Presentation by Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare *** Next meeting 14 April 2026 (Brussels) *** Follow our X account and BlueSky account Further information  Committee on Public Health ● Council of the EU   16/03/2026 15:25 | Press release | Iran: Council sanctions an additional 16 persons and three entities over serious human rights violations   The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional 16 persons and three entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The new listings target a variety of individuals and entities that played a key role in the suppression of street protests in January 2026, which has led to thousands of civilian casualties. The Council is sanctioning Iran’s Deputy Minister of the Interior for Security and Law Enforcement Affairs, and various commanders of local branches of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directly involved in the violent repression of the protests. Additionally, the Council is listing the Mohammad Rasulullah Corps, which is responsible for coordinating IRGC and Basij forces in Tehran, and the Imam Reza Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is the local branch of the IRGC in Khorasan Razavi Province, where the crackdown on protests has been particularly brutal. Furthermore, the Council is listing today members of the judiciary who participated in prosecutions against peaceful protesters, civil and social activists, including women’s rights activists, as well as journalists and political activists critical of the authorities. Some of the listed individuals are responsible for extorting forced confessions, for violating fair trial guarantees, and for issuing severe sentences against peaceful activists. Listings include the head of the Organization for Prisons and Security and Educational Measures of the Islamic Republic of Iran under whose tenure, serious human rights violations have been documented throughout Iranian prisons. Those include torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, including enforcing the death penalty against juvenile offenders, arbitrary detention and physical abuse of political dissidents and individuals belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, instances of sexual violence and coercion against female prisoners. Lastly, sanctions are imposed on Naji Research and Development Company (NRDC), an Iranian IT-services and consultancy company responsible for developing the Nazer mobile application used by Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces as a surveillance tool to monitor and control citizens, and the Head of Tehran’s Cyber Police, which plays a key role in filtering the internet, censorship, controlling the social media content and unjustly prosecuting citizens in relation to digital content. Restrictive measures under the regime for serious human rights abuses and violations in Iran now apply to a total of 263 individuals and 53 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories. A ban on exports to Iran of equipment, that might be used for internal repression, and of equipment for monitoring telecommunications is also in place. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background The EU introduced in 2011 a regime for serious human rights abuses and violations in Iran, consisting of restrictive measures that have been renewed annually since and last extended until 13 of April 2026. Since 2022, the EU has drastically increased restrictive measures, adopting multiple packages of sanctions in the context of growing concerns. On 9 January 2026, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the European Union, condemning the use of violence, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators. She also called for all individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights to be released immediately and urged Iranian authorities to adhere to Iran's international obligations and fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, as well as for ensuring the right of access to information, including by restoring access to the internet for all. The EU strongly supports the fundamental aspirations of the people of Iran for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected, protected and fulfilled. Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/645 of 16 March 2026 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/648 of 16 March 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran Council Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 of 12 April 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran (Consolidated text 29 January 2026) Iran: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in the country (press release, 9 January 2026) EU sanctions against Iran (background information) Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on developments in the Middle East (press release, 1 March 2026)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   16/03/2026 14:12 | Press release | Cyber-attacks against the EU and its member states: Council sanctions three entities and two individuals   The Council adopted today restrictive measures against three entities and two individuals responsible for cyber-attacks carried out against EU member states and EU partners. The Council has listed Integrity Technology Group, a China-based company, that has routinely provided products used to compromise and access devices in EU members states, across Europe and worldwide. Between 2022 and 2023, through their technical and material support, more than 65,000 devices were hacked across six member states. Similarly, Anxun Information Technology, a China-based company, has provided hacking services aimed at the critical infrastructure and critical functions of member states and third countries. The two Chinese individuals also listed today by the Council, are co-founders of the company and were responsible for and involved in cyber-attacks affecting EU member states. Lastly, the Iranian company Emennet Pasargad has unlawfully gained access to a French subscriber database and advertised its contents for sale on the dark web. They also compromised advertising billboards to spread disinformation during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Additionally, the company compromised a Swedish SMS service, impacting a large number of EU citizens. Those listed today under both regimes are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories. With today’s listings the EU horizontal cyber sanctions regime now applies to 19 individuals and 7 entities. Today’s decision confirms EU’s and its member states’ willingness to provide a strong and sustained response to persistent malicious cyber activities targeting the EU, its member states and partners. The EU and its member states will continue to cooperate with our international partners to promote an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background The Framework for a Joint EU Diplomatic Response to Malicious Cyber Activities (the "cyber diplomacy toolbox") was established in June 2017. It allows the EU and its member states to use all CFSP measures, including restrictive measures if necessary, to prevent, discourage, deter and respond to malicious cyber activities targeting the integrity and security of the EU and its member states. In May 2019, the Council established a framework of sanctions allowing the EU to impose targeted restrictive measures to deter and respond to cyber-attacks which constitute an external threat to the EU or its member states. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/588 of 16 March 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/589 of 16 March 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/796 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 of 17 May 2019 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States (consolidated text dated 14 May 2025) EU cybersecurity: strategy and key policies (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   16/03/2026 14:09 | Press release | Russian hybrid threats: four individuals added to EU sanctions list for information manipulation activities   The Council today decided to adopt restrictive measures against an additional four individuals responsible for Russia’s continued hybrid activities, in particular Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) against the EU and its member states and partners. The Council is listing today Russian propagandist Sergey Klyuchenkov, who has played an active role in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In his TV and radio shows he has repeatedly called for further violence in Ukraine, including against civilians. In addition, he has called for de-Ukrainisation of occupied territories, the occupation of Baltic states and suggested retaliatory strikes against countries which support Ukraine, including the US, Türkiye, Germany, France, and the UK. The new listings also include the Lithuanian-born Russian news anchor Ernest Mackevičius who, as host of the evening news programme on the Russian state television, has regularly spread false narratives about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine itself and its armed forces. Lastly, the Council is also imposing restrictive measures on propagandist Graham Phillips, and media figure Adrien Bocquet of British and French origin, respectively. Graham Phillips has played an active role in justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine through disinformation and propaganda, regularly filming content in Russian-occupied areas, including interviews with captured British fighters, and writing propaganda articles about Russia’s occupied territories of Ukraine. Adrien Bocquet has repeatedly positioned himself as an amplifier of Kremlin propaganda in Europe and in Russia through appearances at symbolic conflict sites, interviews with Russian television, publications on his X account and contributions to Kremlin-funded outlets. Through their activities the designated individuals are responsible for supporting the actions and policies of the Russian government, which undermine democracy, the rule of law, stability, and security in the European Union and Ukraine. With today’s decision, restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities now apply to a total of 69 individuals and 17 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background The framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia’s destabilising actions was set up on 8 October 2024 to target those engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity. The sanctions regime targets also those responsible for Russia’s hybrid activities against third countries and international organisations. A statement of the High Representative on behalf of the EU from 18 July 2025 strongly condemned persistent malicious activities posed by Russia, which form part of broader, coordinated, and long-standing hybrid campaigns aimed at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the EU, its member states and its partners. The High Representative stressed that Russian malicious activities have further escalated since the beginning of the war of aggression against Ukraine and are highly likely to persist in the foreseeable future. On 18 December 2025, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it strongly condemned all recent hybrid attacks against the Union and its Member States. The EU and its member states will continue to draw on the full range of tools available to protect, prevent, deter from and respond to such malicious behaviour. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/646 of 16 March 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/647 of 16 March 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities (consolidated text dated 29 January December 2026) European Council conclusions of 18 December 2025 Hybrid threats / Russia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU condemning Russia’s persistent hybrid campaigns against the EU, its Member States and partners (press release, 18 July 2025) Russia's hybrid activities: EU sanctions (background information)   Visit the website