This Week in Foreign Affairs — Brussels (#12, 2026)
Commission adopts €1.5bn EU-Ukraine defence programme; EU unlocks €1.4bn Russian asset windfalls for Ukraine; Red Sea, Iran sanctions, and West Indian Ocean maritime security mandates renewed.
March 29, 2026 to April 04, 2026
Commission adopts €1.5bn EU-Ukraine defence programme; EU unlocks €1.4bn Russian asset windfalls for Ukraine; Red Sea, Iran sanctions, and West Indian Ocean maritime security mandates renewed.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): On April 08, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Framework of measures to facilitate the transport of military equipment, goods and personnel across the Union.
European Commission
Commission adopts €1.5 billion work programme to boost European and Ukrainian defence industry
On 29 March 2026, the European Commission approved a €1.5 billion work programme under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), established by Regulation (EU) 2025/2600. The initiative allocates over €700 million to increase production of key defence components, including counter-drone systems, missiles, and ammunition, with €260 million earmarked for Ukraine through the Ukraine Support Instrument. The European Defence Projects of Common Interest will receive €325 million to launch collaborative projects, also open to Norway and Ukraine. €240 million is set for joint procurement of defence equipment by Member States and Norway, while €100 million in equity support will be available for defence start-ups and SMEs. The BraveTech EU initiative will receive an additional €35.3 million to foster defence innovation. Calls for proposals open on 31 March 2026 via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Andrius Kubilius underlined the programme’s role in reinforcing Europe's defence capabilities and cooperation with Ukraine.
Commission takes steps on €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan and drone procurement
On 31 March 2026, the European Commission advanced implementation of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, proposing €45 billion in support for Ukraine in 2026 (Regulation (EU) 2026/467 and Regulation (EU) 2026/468). The package includes budgetary support (€16.7 billion) and €28.3 billion for Ukraine's defence industrial capacities. A decision allows procurement derogations for drones to accelerate urgent deliveries. The Council will consider the implementing decision, which follows a positive assessment of Ukraine’s financing strategy. President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen reiterated the EU’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s security and public finances.
EU delivers €1.4 billion in revenue from immobilised Russian assets for Ukraine support
On 31 March 2026, the EU transferred €1.4 billion in windfall profits from immobilised Russian Central Bank assets to Ukraine, representing the fourth such disbursement. 95% of proceeds are allocated through the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism for non-repayable support, assisting Ukraine in repaying macro-financial assistance loans, with the remainder directed via the European Peace Facility. This measure follows Regulation 2025/2600 and decisions of 21 May and December 2025 to prohibit asset transfers to Russia and channel revenues for Ukraine’s benefit. Since 2022, the EU and Member States have provided €195 billion in support to Ukraine.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council expands EUNAVFOR ASPIDES tasks in Red Sea and extends mandate
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/778 of 30 March 2026 amends Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, extending the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES maritime security operation in the Red Sea until 28 February 2027. The operation's tasks now include collecting and sharing information on suspicious activities involving critical submarine infrastructure and training Djiboutian maritime forces, in cooperation with the Yemeni Coast Guard.
Council renews and updates restrictive measures against Iran
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/759 of 30 March 2026 updates Regulation (EU) No 267/2012, aligning dual-use goods control with Regulation (EU) 2021/821. The regulation reflects the re-imposition of UN nuclear-related sanctions on Iran and amends procedures for authorisation and reporting of dual-use items.
EU assistance measure for Beninese Armed Forces under European Peace Facility
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/761 of 30 March 2026 establishes a €10 million assistance measure for Benin under the EPF. The measure finances non-lethal equipment, including protective gear and training aircraft, with a 30-month implementation period.
Council Decision on EU position at Convention on Migratory Species
Council Decision (EU) 2026/733 of 19 March 2026 details the EU position for the fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. The EU supports amendments to the Appendices for various species, except for the removal of Cervus elaphus yarkandensis from Appendix I.
EU Council
EU energy ministers assess impact of Middle East conflict on energy markets
On 31 March 2026, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council held an informal video conference to discuss energy price volatility linked to the Middle East conflict. Ministers exchanged views on security of supply and agreed on the need for coordinated action to address rising prices.
EP Committee Work
AFET delegation to Korea and Japan discusses strategic cooperation
From 30 March to 2 April 2026, a delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), led by Chair David McAllister (EPP, DE), visited Seoul and Tokyo. Meetings with high-level officials focused on regional security, EU strategic partnerships, and responses to Indo-Pacific challenges, including North Korea and China.
INTA delegation to Switzerland addresses EU–Switzerland agreements
A European Parliament delegation from the Committee on International Trade (INTA), chaired by Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), visited Bern following the conclusion of a broad package of agreements with Switzerland. The meetings focused on trade, investment, and the next steps in ratification.
SANT Committee reviews medicine supply security in Poland
The Public Health Committee (SANT), led by Chair Adam Jarubas (EPP, PL), visited Poland to discuss implementation of the pharmaceutical package and the Critical Medicines Act. The delegation met with the Polish Minister of Health and industry stakeholders, focusing on medicine availability and EU supply chain resilience.
IMCO delegation concludes visit to China on e-commerce and product safety
A delegation from the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), led by Chair Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA, DE), visited China for meetings with parliamentarians, regulators, and major e-commerce platforms. Discussions addressed fair competition, market supervision, and consumer protection in the context of growing e-commerce flows to the EU.
AFET Standing Rapporteur Sven Mikser visits Moldova
Sven Mikser (S&D, EE), Standing Rapporteur for Moldova, conducted a fact-finding visit to Chișinău and Bălți from 30 March to 2 April 2026. Meetings with Moldovan authorities and EU-funded project visits focused on reform progress, EU alignment, and the impact of EU assistance.
INTA Chair comments on WTO negotiations outcome
Following the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, INTA Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, DE) commented on the lack of agreement on WTO reform and digital tariff moratoriums. The delegation participated in high-level meetings on multilateralism and trade system modernisation.
What We're Reading This Week
- Passerelles, Article 7, coffee breaks: How the EU bypasses the veto: EU institutions are increasingly using creative procedural tools to circumvent individual member state vetoes and advance decision-making.
- Operation Save Orbán: Trump deploys Vance to Hungary: Donald Trump sends J.D. Vance to Hungary in a show of support for Viktor Orbán amid growing international criticism.
- Trump tariff tweaks smooth the way for EU-US trade deal approval: Revised U.S. tariffs on European goods remove a major obstacle to finalizing a new EU-US trade agreement.
- G7 can only watch as Gulf chaos spreads: G7 nations face limited influence amid escalating instability in the Gulf, raising concerns over global security and energy supplies.
- Macron praises Europe's 'predictability' in contrast to Trump's unpredictability: Macron highlights Europe's stable approach, suggesting it offers reassurance compared to the uncertainty associated with Trump's leadership style.
