This Week in Defence — Brussels (#29, 2026)
UK-EU defence programme participation amended; ISIL/Al-Qaida sanctions regulation updated; Defence ministers to meet informally.
August 24, 2026 to August 30, 2026
UK-EU defence programme participation amended; ISIL/Al-Qaida sanctions regulation updated; Defence ministers to meet informally.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Informal meeting of defence ministers: On August 31, the EU Council's Informal meeting of defence ministers configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET): On August 31, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; *** End of electronic vote ***.
- Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers - Gymnich: On September 01, the EU Council's Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers - Gymnich configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
UK Participation Terms Adjusted in Union Programmes
Decision No 1/2026 of the Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes, adopted on 15 April 2026 and published in OJ L 2026/1962 on 27 August 2026, amends Protocol I to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The adjustment concerns the contribution key for the Erasmus+ Programme within the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027. The Decision specifies that future participation terms for the UK in successor programmes will be subject to mutually agreed conditions. The Decision enters into force on the date of adoption and applies from 1 January 2027.
ISIL/Al-Qaida Sanctions List Updated
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1965, adopted on 26 August 2026 and published in OJ L 2026/1965 on 27 August 2026, amends Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 for the 360th time. The update follows decisions by the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee to amend identifying data for 21 entries on the sanctions list. The changes affect Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 881/2002, which targets persons, groups, and entities associated with ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida. The Regulation enters into force the day after its publication.
EU Council
Informal Meeting of Defence Ministers Scheduled
Defence ministers will hold an informal meeting under the Foreign Affairs Council configuration on 31 August 2026.
What We're Reading This Week
- France opens door to fighter jet cooperation with Sweden: France signals willingness to collaborate with Sweden on future fighter jet development, potentially strengthening European defense ties.
- EU sea defence: the new race to protect cables, pipelines and trade: European nations are ramping up maritime security measures to safeguard undersea infrastructure vital for energy and commerce.
- Wes Streeting faces a race against time to overhaul Britain’s war machine: Wes Streeting must rapidly reform the UK’s defense system amid mounting security challenges and political pressure.
- 'We are stepping up': EU approves €6.1 billion for Ukraine’s defences: EU allocates €6.1 billion to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
- Ukraine faces €23B defense funding hole as Western cash lags: Ukraine's military faces critical shortfalls as delayed Western funding leaves a €23B gap in its defense budget.
