EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc is considering lifting economic sanctions on Syria to promote stability and support livelihoods. “We want the Syrian people to have jobs and livelihoods so the country becomes more stable,” she said ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

On Gaza, Kallas confirmed that EU ministers would discuss the Dutch call to review Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement over humanitarian concerns. She stressed that aid allowed by Israel “is a drop in the ocean” and must reach Gaza immediately.

Kallas also urged the US to take “strong steps” against Russia if Moscow continues to reject Ukraine’s call for a ceasefire. She said the EU would approve a 17th sanctions package and added, “Russia’s situation is not good at all,” citing intelligence reports contradicting Moscow’s narrative.