Russia is supporting Iran's attacks on countries in Middle East and Gulf region and is destabilizing Africa - Braze

RIGA - Russia continues to attack Ukraine, supports Iran’s attacks on countries in the Middle East and the Gulf, and destabilizes Africa, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said Monday at the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed LETA, Braze noted that Russia’s attack on the Novodnistrovsk hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine has caused an oil spill in the Dniester River, directly threatening Moldova’s water supply and public health.

"Russia is a problem we all share, and its threats continue to create a global security crisis. All allies and like-minded partners need to exert greater pressure on Russia - through new sanctions, including the urgent adoption of the 20th round of EU sanctions, and by intensifying efforts against Russia’s ‘shadow fleet,’" the minister urged.

Likewise, Russia’s international isolation must continue by denying Russia access to Western technologies, severing all trade ties with it, and preventing the circumvention of sanctions.

EU foreign ministers discussed the situation on the front lines, Ukraine’s priority needs, and developments in the Middle East with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed. Braze called on all EU member states to continue providing comprehensive support to Ukraine by contributing to NATO’s PURL to ensure the supply of critically needed military equipment. Latvia has contributed EUR 17.2 million to date.

Braze also met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and discussed the future direction of the EU-India strategic partnership, EU and Indian foreign policy and security priorities, and the situation in the Middle East.

With European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud, and Public Administration Piotr Serafin, Braze discussed Latvia’s priorities for the next EU multiannual budget, including the strengthening of the eastern border, which is a matter of security for the entire EU.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that the EU Foreign Affairs Council has approved individual sanctions against 19 more persons under the Iran human rights sanctions regime, while five more individuals-four from China and one from Iran-have been added to the cyber sanctions regime in connection with cyberattacks against the EU or its member states. In total, 19 individuals and seven organizations, mostly from Russia and China, are currently subject to the cyber sanctions regime.

Under the sanctions regime regarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity, individual sanctions have been approved for nine additional individuals involved in committing crimes in Bucha. Meanwhile, the sanctions regime concerning Russia’s destabilizing activities includes four more individuals.

EU foreign ministers discussed the security situation in the Middle East and the EU’s role, cooperation with the EU’s southern neighbors since the Mediterranean Pact entered into force last November, as well as the EU’s security strategy.