
On Monday October 2025, Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, attended the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation and Foreign Trade, the subjects covered included a discussion on Russian aggression against Ukraine, which began with an in-person briefing by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha. The exchanges provided an update on the latest developments in Ukraine, including potential talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Hungary, the nineteenth package of sanctions, the special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and the country’s energy security.
The ministry stated that for the Minister Bettel, it remains crucial that no discussions on Ukraine take place without Ukraine. As the host country, the Hungarian government has a role to play in facilitating Ukraine’s participation. Regarding the energy situation, he welcomed the mobilisation of European support for Ukraine’s energy sector.
Moreover, concerning frozen Russian assets, Minister Bettel welcomed the participation of the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, and the President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, in discussions at the next European Council. This will finally clarify the possible repercussions of any decision on the eurozone. He also emphasised that it is necessary to reach an agreement among Member States on a solidarity mechanism before any decision is made on this issue.
During the discussion on the Middle East, Minister Bettel highlighted that the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine remains extremely fragile, as evidenced by recent attacks carried out by both Hamas and Israel. To restore a genuine political perspective for the two-state solution, the Minister stressed the need to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, particularly regarding its reform process and financial stability. He also called for a massive resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, ensuring that United Nations agencies, especially UNRWA, can fully resume operations in safe and unimpeded conditions.
Regarding potential sanctions against Israel, the minister reminded that the European Union must remain ready to consider them in the event of any further deterioration of the situation. He also underlined the importance of resolutely combating the rise of antisemitism in Europe.
Concerning the situation in Sudan, the minister recalled that it is essential that this humanitarian catastrophe is not forgotten, despite the increasing number of other international crises.