This Week in Foreign Affairs — Brussels (#30, 2026)
EU transfers €1.4bn from Russian assets to Ukraine; new sanctions on Russia, Libya; safeguard duties imposed on steel imports from FTA partners; enhanced EU–Iceland–Norway PNR data sharing; CAP crisis support for fertilisers; temporary protection for Ukrainians extended.
August 02, 2026 to August 08, 2026
EU transfers €1.4bn from Russian assets to Ukraine; new sanctions on Russia, Libya; safeguard duties imposed on steel imports from FTA partners; enhanced EU–Iceland–Norway PNR data sharing; CAP crisis support for fertilisers; temporary protection for Ukrainians extended.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
European Commission
EU receives €1.4 billion in revenue from immobilised Russian assets to be used for supporting Ukraine
On 3 August 2026, the EU received €1.4 billion in windfall profits generated by interest on cash balances derived from immobilised Central Bank of Russia (CBR) assets held by Central Securities Depositories in the Union. This marks the fifth transfer of this kind—previous tranches occurred since the assets' immobilisation following sanctions against Russia in 2022. The cash itself has generated €8 billion in profits since immobilisation. Under Regulation 2025/2600, the Council decided that these net revenues from immobilised Russian assets should support Ukraine. Of the recent tranche, 95% will be channelled via the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and 5% through the European Peace Facility. The funds support non-repayable assistance for Ukraine’s loan repayments under EU and G7 initiatives, totalling €45 billion, and acute defence needs. The Council adopted further legal acts for this mechanism in May 2024.
Commission accelerates IRIS² deployment with enhanced security and expanded satellites network
On 6 August 2026, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an implementation agreement to expand and deploy IRIS², the EU's satellite constellation for secure connectivity. The constellation will now contain 348 satellites, with an additional layer of 66 high-low Earth orbit satellites for increased resilience in governmental, defence and crisis connectivity. The first launches are set for 2029, and the acceleration brings a 60% increase of secure governmental capacity in the EU and 54% globally. Major Member State financial contributions include Poland (€656 million), Hungary (€500 million), and Spain (€1.6–2 billion). Funding is a blend of EU, Member State, and third-country investment for the period 2028–2034. IRIS² will link EU governments and agencies with secure, independent space communications infrastructure.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1914: Imposing provisional countervailing duty on imports of lightweight thermal paper from China
On 5 August 2026, the Commission imposed a provisional countervailing duty on imports of certain lightweight thermal paper originating in the People’s Republic of China (OJ L 2026/1914). The provisional duty is 28.8% for Guandong Guanhao High-Tech Co. and 70.5% for all other imports. The measure follows a finding of material injury to the Union industry due to subsidised imports and applies under the procedure defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/1037.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1925: Investigation into circumvention of anti-dumping measures on Chinese open mesh glass fibre fabrics
On 6 August 2026, the Commission initiated an investigation under Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 to determine possible circumvention of anti-dumping duties on imports of certain open mesh glass fibre fabrics from China via Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia (OJ L 2026/1925). Imports from these countries will be registered pending the outcome.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1941: Amendments to Libya restrictive measures
Published on 7 August 2026, this Regulation amends Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 to update the list of vessels under restrictive measures concerning Libya, following UN Security Council action (OJ L 2026/1941).
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1940: New entries to Russia sanctions list under Ukraine measures
As of 7 August 2026, Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1940 adds five individuals to the EU's sanctions list under Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 related to Russian actions against Ukraine (OJ L 2026/1940), on the basis of emerging evidence of continued aggression, including military campaigns targeting civilians.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1939: New restrictive measures on Russia concerning Ukrainian territorial integrity
Adopted on 7 August 2026, Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1939 amends Decision 2014/145/CFSP by adding five persons to the sanctions list in response to Russia's ongoing and intensifying military campaign against Ukraine (OJ L 2026/1939).
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1923: Amendment to Ukraine Plan approval
On 30 July 2026, the Council adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1923 to amend the approval of the Ukraine Plan, as per Regulation (EU) 2024/792. The updated version increases the reform steps in the Plan to 173 and aligns financing with additional EU/Member State assistance (OJ L 2026/1923).
Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1938: Amendments to Libya sanctions vessel list
Published 7 August 2026, this Decision updates the vessel list annexed to Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333, reflecting recent actions by the United Nations Security Council (OJ L 2026/1938).
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1918: EU-Iceland PNR agreement for combating terrorism and serious crime
Adopted on 4 June 2026, the Council concluded the agreement with Iceland on the transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime (OJ L 2026/1918, OJ L 2026/1919). Data protection provisions align with EU law.
Agreement: EU and Iceland on PNR data transfer for combating terrorist and serious crime
On 6 August 2026, the agreement between the EU and Iceland entered into force, providing rules for data sharing between air carriers and Icelandic authorities for counter-terrorism and serious crime proposals (OJ L 2026/1919).
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1916: Conclusion of EU-Norway PNR transfer agreement
On 4 June 2026, the Council finalised the EU–Norway agreement on the transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute terrorist offences and serious crime (OJ L 2026/1916, OJ L 2026/1917).
Agreement: EU and Norway on PNR data transfer for combating terrorism and serious crime
Effective 6 August 2026, the agreement establishes conditions for PNR data transfer between EU air carriers and Norwegian authorities specifically for counter-terrorism and serious crime, with data protection in line with EU law (OJ L 2026/1917).
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1544: Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Protocol with Cook Islands
On 17 November 2025, the Council approved the Protocol for the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Cook Islands for 2025–2032 (OJ L 2026/1544). The Protocol provides Union vessels with fishing opportunities and establishes a framework for monitoring compliance.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1930: Bilateral safeguard measures on steel product imports from FTA partners
On 4 August 2026, the Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/1930 applying bilateral safeguard duties of 50% ad valorem on certain steel product imports from Albania, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Türkiye. The out-of-quota duty is triggered once tariff quotas under Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 are exhausted (OJ L 2026/1930).
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1911: EU-Switzerland veterinary agreement amendments on animal health
On 13 July 2026, the Council set the Union position for amendments to various appendices of Annex 11 to the Agreement with Switzerland on agricultural trade (OJ L 2026/1911), including updates on animal health law, antimicrobial resistance, and official controls.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912: Extension of temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine
On 30 July 2026, the Council extended temporary protection introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 by one year, until 4 March 2028, for persons displaced from Ukraine, with new provisions on compliance with military obligations (OJ L 2026/1912).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1897: Introduction of CAP crisis measure for fertiliser prices
From 31 July 2026, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2289 was amended to update CAP Strategic Plans, introducing a new rural development measure for farmers affected by fertiliser price increases linked to the Middle East crisis. The rules take effect from 22 July 2026 (OJ L 2026/1897).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1906: Flexible CAP advance payments due to fertiliser price rises
On 31 July 2026, the Commission amended Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/128 by allowing more flexible advance payment rules under the CAP in response to fertiliser price spikes linked to the Middle East situation (OJ L 2026/1906), with effect from 22 July 2026.
EU Council
Informal video conference of home affairs ministers on developments in Ceuta
On 4 August 2026, Justice and Home Affairs ministers met via video conference to discuss current developments in Ceuta.
