EU - European Council - Press releases

1. Sahel: Council appoints a new EU Special Representative for the region

   The Council appointed Ms. Birgitte Nygaard Markussen as the new EU Special Representative for the Sahel region.

2. 21st package of sanctions: EU hits Russian energy, financial services and crypto hard

   The Council adopted a 21st package of economic and individual restrictive measures designed to target the sectors with the greatest impact on Russia’s economy and its ability to fuel its war of aggression against Ukraine. The package  includes the largest batch of individual listings of the last four years.

3. Fighting child sexual abuse online: interim measure protecting children now reinstated

   The measure allows online providers to voluntarily detect, report and remove child sexual abuse material online.

4. Ukraine support loan: EU countries approve UK participation to help cover Ukraine’s urgent defence needs

   The Council is approving UK participation in the EU’s Ukraine support loan framework to help cover Ukraine’s urgent defence needs in the face of continued Russian aggression. 

5. Forward look: 20 July – 2 August 2026

   Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks and upcoming media events.