On 22 February 2022, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, chaired the Extraordinary Informal Meeting of Minister for EU Foreign Affairs on the situation in Ukraine, in Paris, France.The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing and protracted conflict that started in February 2014, primarily involving Russia and pro-Russian forces on one hand, and Ukraine on the other. The war has centred on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, which are internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine erupted especially from 2021 to 2022, when it became apparent that Russia was considering launching a military invasion of Ukraine. In February 2022, the crisis deepened, and diplomatic talks to subdue Russia failed; this culminated in Russia moving forces into the separatist controlled regions on 22 February 2022This video shows a joint press conference given by Josep Borrell Fontelles and Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, following the meeting.

Press conferences

Extraordinary Informal Meeting of Minister for EU Foreign Affairs on the situation in Ukraine, Paris: joint press conference by Jean Yves Le Drian and Josep Borrell Fontelles

On 24 February 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, together with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, met with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, where they gave a joint press conference following their meeting. On the same day, following months of military build-up on Ukrainian borders, armed conflicts began in Ukraine under the impulsion of Russia.  Condemning the military aggression perpetrated by Russia, the EU calls for a cease of hostilities, a withdrawal of its military from Ukraine and to respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Therefore, the EU Heads of State or Government endorsed a package of sanctions against Russia during a Special European Council held in Brussels, Belgium, on 25 February 2022.Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2014, the EU has made available assistance to eastern Ukraine, including humanitarian aid and socio-economic development support, and plans to provide further political, financial and humanitarian assistance during the current crisis. This video shows the entire joint press conference given by Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel and Jens Stoltenberg.

Joint press conference by Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of NATO, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

On 24 February 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, gave a joint press conference on Russia&#39;s aggression against Ukraine, at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack and the cynical arguments to justify it. She added that a package of massive and targeted sanctions will be presented later this day to European Leaders for approval.On his side, Josep Borrell Fontelles namely asserted the united position of the transatlantic partners and all European nations in saying no to violence and destruction as means to obtain political gains.

Press statement by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vice-President of the European Commission, on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

Press point by - Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight- Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights- Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market- Agnès PANNIER-RUNACHER, French Minister Delegate for Industry

6th European Battery Alliance Ministerial meeting, Brussels: joint press briefing

Press conference by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

Press conference by Didier Reynders and Thierry Breton, European Commissioners, on the just and sustainable economy package

Visit of Jonas Gahr Støre, Norwegian Prime Minister, to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: welcome and press statement

On 23 February 2022, Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition, and Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, give a press conference following the weekly meeting of the von der Leyen Commission, on the Data Act.

Read-out of the weekly meeting of the von der Leyen Commission by Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, and Thierry Breton, European Commissioner, on the Data Act (international sign language)

Read-out of the weekly meeting of the von der Leyen Commission by Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, and Thierry Breton, European Commissioner, on the Data Act

On 23 February 2022, Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, travelled to Niger in order to assess humanitarian needs in the country as it faces a deteriorating security situation as well as an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis due to impacts of climate change. During his visit, Janez Lenarčič announced an initial €43 million in EU humanitarian aid in Niger for 2022.This new EU humanitarian aid is to be targeted at areas and regions affected by the conflict, epidemics, widespread food shortages and high rates of child undernutrition. The primary focus of EU humanitarian funding is on addressing basic needs, including food, shelter, health, nutrition, access to safe water, and education for children in the context of humanitarian crises.This video shows the joint press conference given by Janez Lenarčič together with Denisa-Elena Ionete, Head of the delegation of the EU to Niger, in Niamey, Niger, to take stock of his working visit to the country and announce the significant increase in the EU budget intended to deal with the various humanitarian challenges Niger is facing.

Visit of Janez Lenarčič, European Commissoner, to Niger: joint press conference with Denisa-Elena Ionete, Head of the delegation of the EU to Niger

On 22 February 2022, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, and Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency, attended the 3848th meeting of the General Affairs Council chaired by Clément Beaune, French Minister of State for European Affairs, in Brussels, Belgium. The EU Ministers started preparations for the European Council meeting on 24 and 25 March 2022 with an exchange of views on the annotated draft agenda. The Presidency provided information on the Conference on the Future of Europe and Ministers exchanged views in particular on the arrangements for coordinating the Council’s position. Ministers held a policy debate on enhancing preparedness, response capability and resilience to future crises. There was a hearing on the Rule of Law in Poland (Article 7(1) TEU). The Commission briefed Ministers on the latest developments in EU-UK relations. There was also an information item on the protection of journalists.This video shows a joint press conference given by the three officials following the Council meeting. 

General Affairs Council, 3848th meeting: joint press conference by Clément Beaune, Maroš Šefčovič and Věra Jourová

On 22 February 2022, Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, attended the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Transport in Le Bourget, France, chaired by Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, Minister attached to the French Minister for the Ecological Transition, with responsibility for Transport.During the Informal Meeting the EU Ministers for Transport discussed the fundamental questions raised by the decarbonisation requirements of the transport sector. The Ministers talked about the measures envisaged at National and European level to promote innovation and the deployment of new technologies. The focus in the context of road transport was on electromobility and autonomous and connected vehicles.This video shows a joint press conference given by the two officials following the Informal Meeting. 

Informal Meeting of Ministers for Transport, Le Bourget: joint press conference by Jean-Baptiste Djebbari and Adina Vălean

Press conference by Jean-Yves LE DRIAN, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World

Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Paris: joint press conference by Jean-Yves Le Drian and  Josep Borrell Fontelles

Press conference with- Gerhard KARNER, Austrian Minister of the Interior- Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Minister- Selmo CIKOTIĆ, Minister for Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Visit of Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner, to Austria: joint press conference at the JCP Ministerial Return Conference – Regional Return Mechanism, Return Partnerships Conference

Video files of the European Commission's press conferences.

Extraordinary Informal Meeting of Minister for EU Foreign Af...