Newsletter: Sanctions, Syria and a new Hungary

By Angela Skujins Published on 11/05/2026 - 9:24 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp

Foreign affairs ministers are in Brussels on Monday to tackle a large slate of files. Talks will span how to crack down on Russians abducting Ukrainian children, slapping sanctions on Israeli settlers to restarting relations between the bloc and Syria.

Good morning. I’m Angela Skujins and I’ll be holding the pen for today’s newsletter – the first in a week that’s shaping up to be big and juicy for geopolitical enthusiasts. ​

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Two major events are taking place in Brussels today: a Foreign Affairs Council with a packed agenda, and the first high-level EU-Syria political dialogue. Let’s start with foreign affairs. ​

As Jorge Liboreiro reports, EU ministers will focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. The bloc is expected to expand its blacklist of Russian individuals responsible for the deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children, while also moving forward with sanctions against Israeli settlers.

Separately, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Canada will later on Monday co-host a conference dedicated to the return of Ukrainian children.

Officials say tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russian authorities since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022 – something that has prompted the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes. ​

On her way into the meeting, the EU’s top diplomat told reporters that it is “awful, what is done to these children” and that she hopes that the bloc will move forward with cracking down on those responsible. ​

Over to the Middle East. Kallas will also brief ministers on possible action to curtail imports from Israeli settlements. Options include a full trade ban, which would require unanimity under the traditional sanctions regime, as well as higher tariffs or quotas, which would instead require a qualified majority. France, Sweden, Ireland, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands are among the countries pushing to move things forward. ​

“We hope we can get the settlers over the finish line. It’s been long overdue,” a senior diplomat said.

Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard just told Europe Today that she hopes the settler sanctions progress, but that the bloc, "should also move forward with sanctions on extremist ministers in the Israeli government." Watch.

The day will conclude with a high-level political dialogue between the EU and Syria. The bloc is aiming to restart negotiations towards an Association Agreement with the country, which could help mobilise fresh funding for post-war reconstruction and stimulate foreign investment. Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, will be in Brussels for the talks. ​

Nonprofit watchdog Human Rights Watch published a letter welcoming the ramp-up in relations ahead of the meeting. However, the organisation said it was concerned that an Association Agreement may not “address Syria’s challenges on human rights and accountability”, while calling for an impartial justice system and greater transparency, among other measures. ​

Since President Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus in December 2024, ending decades of dynastic and controversial rule, Syria's transitional government has attempted to assert full authority over a country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war. ​

A senior EU official said restarting the Association Agreement “takes time” and that further work is required. “We’re not there yet,” the official said.

As an aside: Brussels is also watching closely for signs that Hungary may soften its long-standing opposition to several key foreign policy files, including support for Ukraine and sanctions measures. After his April parliamentary victory, Péter Magyar was sworn in as prime minister over the weekend. ​

“You are showing the best of Hungary, this joyful Hungary. This Hungary, that is democratic once again,” 45-year-old Magyar said to a jubilant crowd in Budapest on Saturday, coinciding with Europe Day. His proposed cabinet is still undergoing parliamentary approval, with the new foreign minister not expected to attend Monday’s talks.

One key file is the European Peace Facility (EPF), a special fund that allows member states to partially reimburse the military supplies they donate to Ukraine. Another flashpoint is sanctions against violent Israeli settlers, which several member states have been pushing to advance for months. “Let’s see if this happens,” a senior diplomat said.

Trump dismisses Iran’s ‘unacceptable’ reply to the US peace proposal

US President Donald Trump has expressed ire over Iran’s "totally unacceptable" reply to the US peace proposal, leaving the multi-week ceasefire hanging in the balance.

Without providing clarification, Trump posted the short statement on social media. “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘representatives’. I don’t like it – totally unacceptable,” the Truth Social post stated.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s counter-pitch to Washington’s latest proposal aiming to end the war, entering its fourth month, was delivered on Sunday through a Pakistani mediator, Iranian local media reported Sunday without offering details.

“It should be noted that the main focus of Iran’s response to the US proposal is on ‘ending the war and maritime security’ in the Persian Gulf particularly in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz,” the official IRNA news agency said. ​

As Manuela Scarpellini reports, the response from Iran comes after media reports emerged that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Qatar’s prime minister on Saturday to discuss the conflict.

If agreed by Iran, Washington aims to formally cease the fighting and reopen the strategically valuable Strait of Hormuz. Then, talks will begin on more contentious issues, including curtailing Iran’s nuclear program.

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We're also keeping an eye on

• EU affairs ministers will gather in Nicosia, Cyprus, for an informal meeting centred on issues pertinent to the bloc, such as the long-term budget.
• European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius will participate in the discussion "How Will We Defend the European Union Eastern Flank?" in Vilnius, Lithuania.

That’s it for today. Jorge Liboreiro contributed to this newsletter.

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