EU ministers meet in Brussels as ‘new momentum’ gives Europe hope on Ukraine – Europe live
TL;DR
EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, and the western Balkans. Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha expressed optimism about a 'new feeling of momentum' regarding the situation in Ukraine.
Key points
- EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels
- Focus on Ukraine, the Middle East, and western Balkans
- Andrii Sybiha expresses optimism about Ukraine
Mentioned in this story
From
EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels this morning to discuss the latest on Ukraine, the Middle East, and the western Balkans.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrives for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels, Belgium. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA
The talks will focus on the situation in Ukraine, with Kyiv’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha hailing “a new feeling of momentum” as he arrived for discussions this morning.
“We have a new reality on the battlefield. Ukraine became stronger after the most difficult winter. … We stabilised the front and we are also in the position that we closed the sky … [can] shoot down up to 90% of aerial objects by which Russians attack us.”
Somewhat mysteriously, he also added:
“We noticed new some very interesting developments in Russia, not only in the economy. So we are following them.”
But there appears to be very little appetite to take seriously Putin’s claims that the war in Ukraine could be coming to an end, with several leaders saying it was probably the latest of his attempts to deceive European leaders about his intentions.
Latvia’s foreign minister Baiba Braže summed it up best:
“We believe that when we see it in action. For now, even during the so-called ceasefire that he begged for, we have not really seen the cessation of hostilities. So, it’s premature to, to really suggest something like that.”
Sweden’s Maria Malmer Stenergard also acknowledged the changing circumstances in Ukraine, saying it’s clear that Russia is getting weaker.
“It’s difficult for them to recruit soldiers, and we saw the[ir] ‘big victory parade’ that was a very small victory parade, and there was no military hardware display at all, because the Kremlin was afraid of Ukrainian drones.”
There is also lots of Ukraine-related meetings happening elsewhere, with Sybiha going to attend talks at Nato and a separate forum on Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius is also expected in Kyiv.
Separately, the EU ministers will also talk about the situation in the Middle East and about the western Balkans.
Elsewhere, I will be also keeping an eye on the latest lines about the virus-hit cruise ship in Tenerife, and other developments across the continent.
I will bring you all the key lines here.
It’s Monday, 11 May 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Explore more on these topics
Q&A
What is the purpose of the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels?
The meeting aims to discuss the latest developments regarding Ukraine, the Middle East, and the western Balkans.
Who is Andrii Sybiha and what did he say about Ukraine's situation?
Andrii Sybiha is Ukraine's foreign minister, and he mentioned a 'new feeling of momentum' as he arrived for the discussions.
What topics are being discussed at the EU foreign ministers' meeting?
The main topics include the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, and issues concerning the western Balkans.
