During a pivotal meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers approved a new “mini” sanctions package targeting Russia’s military complex and shadow fleet, but failed to reach a consensus on sanctioning far-right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas emphasized that existing Western sanctions have already cost Russia over 1 trillion euros, steadily crippling its war economy. In a historic milestone, the bloc also officially opened the first EU accession negotiation chapters for Ukraine and Moldova. Finally, Kallas signaled the EU’s readiness to deepen its diplomatic involvement in the Middle East, navigating ongoing Red Sea security operations and potential breakthroughs in US-Iran negotiations.