I had an extensive discussion with my colleague @HakanFidan on a range of issues. Good neighbourly relations and advancing the Cyprus settlement process are of high importance. I raised yesterday’s Libyan vote on a maritime MoU with Türkiye and stressed that it infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states. On Russia’s dangerous Black Sea escalation, I emphasised the need to step up the pressure on Moscow to end the war. The EU and Türkiye both support a Black Sea freedom of navigation arrangement. We also addressed developments in the South Caucasus and across the Middle East. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen are textbook terror tactics and must end. In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is making shipping dangerous and expensive. Freedom of navigation must be restored without tolls or fees.

The Houthis use textbook terror tactics against civilians in Yemen and Saudi Arabia to sow fear in the region. In the Red Sea, operation Aspides plays a crucial role in protecting shipping against Houthi threats. Aspides has escorted hundreds of vessels to safety and its role is now more visible and in demand. My intervention in #EPlenary ↓

The Arctic has become a frontline of global power competition. The EU’s updated Arctic strategy reflects this new reality by putting security firmly at its core. Europe will bolster its role in the High North by: 🔹 strengthening surveillance and satellite monitoring, 🔹 better protecting critical undersea infrastructure via an Arctic Cable Hub, 🔹 expanding Europe’s icebreaker capacity, 🔹 investing in new technologies fit for extreme environments, 🔹 improving military mobility. My press remarks with @JozefSikela ↓

Russia is intensifying its attacks on Ukraine’s export routes. Its aggression in the Black Sea make it harder to put food on people’s plates across the world. A Black Sea freedom of navigation arrangement would protect lives and vital supplies. Ukraine has proposed it. Russia has rejected it. That is why diplomatic engagement must go hand in hand with sustained pressure on Moscow and support for Ukraine. My intervention in #EPlenary ↓

We see no indication from Russia that it wants to end this war, or pursue any form of truce or peace. That's why we need to help Ukrainians to get through winter and defend their country. Ukrainians need more air defence. And we need to increase pressure on Russia to make it clear that they have to negotiate. My doorstep ahead of today’s European Council meeting ↓

Europe has stood by Ukraine since Russia started its war. And that is one of the reasons Russia has failed to achieve its goals. To end the war, we must pressure Russia, not Ukraine. Europe has the strength and influence to make a difference. My doorstep ahead of today’s European Council meeting ↓

My statement on behalf of the European Union on the postponement of Palestinian elections ↓ consilium.europa.eu/en/press…

The UK has now concluded that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was almost certainly behind the threat to Fairford airbase. Iran’s campaign of intimidation and chaos extends well beyond the Middle East. I join my counterparts in condemning Iran’s hostile activities. The EU has already designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. We have sanctioned Iranian officials for undermining freedom of navigation and serious human rights violations. The UK is a close partner, and we stand firmly with them. Read the Fairford statement ↓ gov.uk/government/news/joint…

International navigation must remain open to everyone, not to whoever can pay. Today, 60 countries pledged to oppose tolls or fees on international shipping routes by joining our “No Fees, No Tolls” global pledge. This is a clear diplomatic signal to all those who seek to hijack waterways for their own gain. I want to thank all the countries who signed up and invite others to join us.

EU Foreign Ministers just adopted nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex. This is the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia started its war. Europe is again showing a united front. More than half are connected to the production chain for ballistic missiles. We are making it significantly harder, slower and more expensive for Russia to produce the weapons it uses to kill Ukrainians.

Today, we will adopt nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex. This will be the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia started its war. We also welcome the energy ceasefire, when it holds. But we haven't seen yet if Russia will stick to it. My press remarks ahead of today’s meeting of EU Foreign Ministers ↓

The Houthi attack on Riyadh’s international airport is an appalling act of terror. There can be no justification for indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. The EU stands in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those killed, and we wish the injured a swift recovery. I remain in close contact with @FaisalbinFarhan. EU Foreign Ministers will discuss the escalating tensions in the region on Monday. Enhanced coordination between the EU’s Red Sea naval operation Aspides and the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition is vital.

Russian strikes killed over 80 Ukrainian civilians in two days. Moreover, it has stepped up its hybrid attacks against Europe, both EU Member States and NATO Allies. Suspending sanctions on Russian diesel provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war. This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t. On Monday, EU Foreign Ministers intend to approve the biggest set of sanctions listings targeting Russia’s war machine since the start of the war.

Congratulations to Navi Pillay on the well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize. Navi Pillay dedicated her life to upholding justice and protecting human dignity, from her role as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to her work on accountability for the genocide in Rwanda. She has shown the world that the quest for justice and the quest for peace are one and the same. At a moment where international law is under attack, along with the institutions that exist to uphold it, her work should serve as an inspiration to us all.

The EU has clear interest in stable, prosperous, and sovereign Lebanon. We are backing this with substantial political, economic, and security support. Our new European Union Support Mission to train and advise the Lebanese Armed Forces will be a major upgrade of our security ties. EU Foreign Ministers will give the final green light to establish the mission next Monday. My remarks in Beirut alongside @YoussefRaggi ↓

The 7 October attacks were a barbaric act of terror. Today, we stand with Israel in remembering every life taken and destroyed at the hands of the Hamas terrorists. Our thoughts are with the victims, the survivors, their families and all those who continue to carry the pain of that terrible day. We must firmly reject any form of antisemitism across Europe. Jewish communities must be able to live openly, safely and without fear. Hamas brought unspeakable suffering to the Israeli people and left devastation in its wake. Hamas must disarm so that the Gaza Peace Plan to move forward.

Russia’s sham Duma elections were an insult to Ukraine, to the Russian people, and to democracy itself. Putin hates democracy because he is threatened by it. That is why – along with destroying civil society and repressing political opposition at home – Russia meddles in the democratic space of others, including the European Union. The EU is currently preparing sanctions on those involved in the organisation of these “elections” and those who stood as candidates for Russia in occupied Ukraine. My intervention in #EPlenary on the undemocratic elections to the Russian State Duma ↓