(L-R) Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy;
Credit: European Union
On Thursday 29 January 2026, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, participated in the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels, Belgium.
As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, regarding Ukraine, Minister Bettel reaffirmed his support for the work on developing a new package of sanctions against Russia. He stressed the need to ensure the rigorous implementation of existing sanctions, as well as to strengthen the fight against any form of circumvention, in order to increase their impact on the Russian economy.
Minister Bettel also emphasised the importance of continuing to support Ukrainian society and its resilience, particularly through efforts to reintegrate veterans into civilian life and combat impunity for crimes committed. He reiterated Luxembourg's commitment to energy and demining efforts, emphasising that even after the end of the conflict, the deadly consequences of unexploded ordnance will continue to have a lasting impact on civilian populations and future generations.
Speaking to the media in Brussels, Minister Bettel said: "Without Europe and without Americans, Ukraine would be lost. If they lose, who will be next? So, it's important to support Ukraine," also stressing the need for security guarantees for Ukraine. He also commented: "I just heard that President Zelensky said that they have to be a member [of the EU] next year. I'm sorry. I told him, several times: don't give ultimatums. It's not in your interest. The fact is, there are rules, [...] the Copenhagen criteria, and we need to fulfil them. We cannot say that there are criteria for the one and not for the other."
During an informal exchange with the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, Minister Bettel commended the work of the Office of the High Commissioner and stressed the need to strengthen Europe's role and voice on human rights, in an international context where such rights are increasingly threatened. Europe has significant leverage to play a leading role in their promotion and protection, both bilaterally and multilaterally, according to the minister.
Discussions also addressed the situation in the Middle East. EU ministers adopted new targeted sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities for serious human rights violations and military support for Russia, and formally designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
Also on the agenda was a discussion on the Great Lakes region in Africa.
