Christian Wigand

EU Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy @kajakallas @eu_eeas Following & RT not necessarily endorsement

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

I welcome the Sakharov Prize awarded to the International Criminal Court.

For victims of the world's gravest crimes, justice means a voice.

The @IntlCrimCourt must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation.

Europe stands firmly behind President Tomoko Akane, the Court's judges and officials, and their vital work for a world governed by rules.

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

Russia’s intensifying attacks on Black Sea shipping are a threat to regional and global food security.

I discussed this with Romania’s new Foreign Minister @DanNeculaescu, alongside NATO’s strengthened regional posture and the urgent need to get the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub operational.

I also raised the vital role of Solidarity Lanes in bringing Ukrainian grain to world markets. I look forward to working together to support Ukraine and Moldova and make Europe stronger.

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

I had an extensive discussion with my colleague @HakanFidan on a range of issues.

Good neighbourly relations and advancing the Cyprus settlement process are of high importance. I raised yesterday’s Libyan vote on a maritime MoU with Türkiye and stressed that it infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states.

On Russia’s dangerous Black Sea escalation, I emphasised the need to step up the pressure on Moscow to end the war. The EU and Türkiye both support a Black Sea freedom of navigation arrangement.

We also addressed developments in the South Caucasus and across the Middle East. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen are textbook terror tactics and must end. In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is making shipping dangerous and expensive. Freedom of navigation must be restored without tolls or fees.

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

The Houthis use textbook terror tactics against civilians in Yemen and Saudi Arabia to sow fear in the region.

In the Red Sea, operation Aspides plays a crucial role in protecting shipping against Houthi threats.

Aspides has escorted hundreds of vessels to safety and its role is now more visible and in demand.

My intervention in #EPlenary ↓

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

We deeply regret the ratification today by the Libyan Parliament of the so-called Libyan-Türkiye Memorandum of Understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea.

We recall that the EU’s position on this matter was clearly stated by the European Council in 2019 and remains unchanged.

This agreement infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states, it does not comply with the Law of the Sea, and is null and void.

We reaffirm our solidarity with Greece and Cyprus.

We reiterate the EU's well known position against any outside interference in Libya.

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

The Arctic has become a frontline of global power competition.

The EU’s updated Arctic strategy reflects this new reality by putting security firmly at its core.

Europe will bolster its role in the High North by:
🔹 strengthening surveillance and satellite monitoring,
🔹 better protecting critical undersea infrastructure via an Arctic Cable Hub,
🔹 expanding Europe’s icebreaker capacity,
🔹 investing in new technologies fit for extreme environments,
🔹 improving military mobility.

My press remarks with @JozefSikela ↓

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

Russia is intensifying its attacks on Ukraine’s export routes.

Its aggression in the Black Sea make it harder to put food on people’s plates across the world.

A Black Sea freedom of navigation arrangement would protect lives and vital supplies.

Ukraine has proposed it. Russia has rejected it.

That is why diplomatic engagement must go hand in hand with sustained pressure on Moscow and support for Ukraine.

My intervention in #EPlenary ↓

[Christian Wigand @ExtSpoxEU]

The EU strongly condemns the latest attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including on European diplomats. Full statement here 👇
https://t.co/HWzQjSokUz

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

The UK has now concluded that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was almost certainly behind the threat to Fairford airbase.

Iran’s campaign of intimidation and chaos extends well beyond the Middle East. I join my counterparts in condemning Iran’s hostile activities.

The EU has already designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. We have sanctioned Iranian officials for undermining freedom of navigation and serious human rights violations.

The UK is a close partner, and we stand firmly with them.

Read the Fairford statement ↓
https://t.co/dto6bkeP2H

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine.

This is unacceptable.

I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria’s coast.

Putting the lives of the crew in grave danger and threatening security in the Black Sea.

We stand with Bulgaria and thank its rescuers for their swift response.

Those responsible should be held accountable.

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

International navigation must remain open to everyone, not to whoever can pay.

Today, 60 countries pledged to oppose tolls or fees on international shipping routes by joining our “No Fees, No Tolls” global pledge.

This is a clear diplomatic signal to all those who seek to hijack waterways for their own gain.

I want to thank all the countries who signed up and invite others to join us.

[Christian Wigand @ExtSpoxEU]

DPRK: Today’s ballistic missile launches are another clear breach of UN Security Council resolutions. The DPRK must halt these illegal actions and re-engage in meaningful diplomacy. Sustainable peace and security on the Korean Peninsula can only be achieved through dialogue.

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

EU Foreign Ministers just adopted nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex.

This is the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia started its war.

Europe is again showing a united front.

More than half are connected to the production chain for ballistic missiles.

We are making it significantly harder, slower and more expensive for Russia to produce the weapons it uses to kill Ukrainians.

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

Today, we will adopt nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex.

This will be the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia started its war.

We also welcome the energy ceasefire, when it holds.
But we haven't seen yet if Russia will stick to it.

My press remarks ahead of today’s meeting of EU Foreign Ministers ↓

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Good call with @ZelenskyyUa today.

Fully supported the call of President Zelenskyy for a ceasefire that would protect global food supplies and energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia

The war has entered a new, grimmer phase.

Russia is stalling on the battlefield and striking civilians far behind the front lines.

I conveyed our solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

And my full support for President Zelenskyy as he leads the fight for his people’s freedom.

Ukraine will be front and centre at this week’s European Council.

We will discuss its funding needs for the year ahead and how to mobilise fresh global support.

This week, the EU will also provide further funding for drones and missiles.

To strengthen Ukraine’s defences and protect its skies.

We are also due to open two further clusters of chapters in the negotiations.

The momentum is real.

[Christian Wigand @ExtSpoxEU]

ICC: Statement by High Representative Kaja Kallas on behalf of the EU following the announcement of US sanctions 👇
https://t.co/ulk78mN3fZ

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

The ICC is the cornerstone of the international criminal justice system. It prosecutes individuals responsible for the most serious crimes under international law.

I have spoken with ICC President Tomoko Akane following the United States’ announced intention to impose sanctions. The six-month period before the measures take effect offers a window for dialogue.

The EU has always supported the Court, and the EU has options to ensure that it can continue its vital work. Protecting the ICC remains an EU priority.

[Christian Wigand @ExtSpoxEU]

Kosovo: The Law adopted by the Kosovo Assembly amending and supplementing the Law on the Specialist Chambers goes against Kosovo’s international obligations towards the EU. Full statement: https://t.co/s2RbLClSGi

[Christian Wigand @ExtSpoxEU]

#Russia: It has been 20 years since Anna Politkovskaya was killed. We honour her memory & call on Russia to fulfil its international human rights obligations, end persecution of those who expose abuses & to release all political prisoners. Full statement👇🏼https://t.co/V0ctrpkZ4H

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Today marks three years since the terrorist attacks of 7 October in Israel.

We honour the victims and stand with the families who still carry the heavy weight of grief.

We remember the young lives cut short at a music festival. And the long ordeal of the hostages.

The EU stands with all those whose lives were forever changed by that day.

The unspeakable savagery and terror of 7 October must never happen again.

The EU remains ready to help turn today’s fragile ceasefire into a durable peace, based on a two-state solution.

And remains equally convinced that nothing justifies terror.