EC Briefing — Friday, 5 June 2026

Key Points

• Russia's illegal aggression in Ukraine has failed to achieve significant territorial gains.
• The EU expresses full solidarity with Romania following a drone incident linked to Russia's actions.
• The EU will continue to support Armenia amid increasing Russian trade pressure ahead of elections.
• The EU urges both Israel and Hezbollah to cease military actions and comply with ceasefire terms for peace negotiations.
• The European Commission acknowledges the Ombudsman's findings on document access and will analyze transparency obligations.
• Further improvements to transparency in the EU will be pursued through dialogue with the Ombudsman and other institutions.

Full Transcript

Transcribed automatically from EbS (Europe by Satellite) · English audio track · AI-generated · May contain errors · Verify before quoting

Opening Statement

Putin has expected to win Kyiv in just three days. Now we are heading towards the fifth year of Russia's illegal aggression. Also, if we look at what Russia has managed to do, not very much. They have occupied just less than 1% of the Ukrainian territory and now Ukraine is undoing such gains. So the reality on the ground is in stark contradiction with what Putin is saying. So Moscow has failed on all counts. This is why we need to keep strong for Ukraine.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Anita. Do we have other questions for Anita on this topic? Please go ahead.

EU support for Armenia

Q (Arben Press): Thank you, Lilit Gasparyan, Armenpress, Armenian News Agency. My question is concerning the Russia's trade measure. What is the EU is doing to support Armenia in light of these trade measures? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you for your question, but we're going to focus on the Ukraine topic first and then we come back to Armenia. So are there other questions on the issue of Ukraine and the open letter sent by President Zelensky? Jorge.

E3 initiative for Russia talks

Q: Yes, hello, Anita. There are multiple reports that the E3, United Kingdom, Germany and France are preparing to lead some sort of initiative that could engage Russia in direct talks to find a settlement to the war. How does the European Commission feel about the E3 as potential mediator, given that only two member states are represented in this format? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you. From our side, we support peace through all formats. We will not be going, however, now into the who should be the mediator or not. We're focusing on our position, our demands and asks. Most recently, the High Representative has been discussing through this, the informal in Cyprus. Thank you, Anita. Do we have other questions on Ukraine for Anita?

Ukraine drone incident

Q: Sabine, I see your hand raised online. Is the question on Ukraine? It's related to Ukraine because a new drone exploded in Romania today. I know, I don't know if you are aware of the situation in Constanta area and I want to know. Sorry, there can be no interruption because there's no image for the speaker. And what is the position? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Of course, we are fully aware of what is happening in Romania and of the new drone incident and the European Union is expressing its full solidarity with Romania. We have seen also the President's announcement of Romania that the Romanian authorities are currently investigating the circumstances and that the drone has reached the port and they will look to all the potential risks. Once more, this incident is showing very clearly that this is Russians doing and this is a direct result of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. So Russia bears the full responsibility for the escalatory measures that have impacts also on the EU member states. On our side, once more, I come back to the U27 position and the initial statement as we have had precisely another incident just very recently in Galați where the leaders have expressed their solidarity and this shows once more the need to reinforce our defence, our security through the eastern flank and also our protection towards such threats.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Anita. I don't see other hands on the topic of Ukraine, so we'll come back to the Armenia question, please.

Q: Question is, what is the EU is doing to support Armenia in light of the Russian trade measures? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you very much. When it comes to Armenia, Armenia is a sovereign, democratic and independent country with having its right to choose its own path and partners. We see, however, the attempts from Russia that are massively intensifying to put pressure on its people ahead of the election. So Russia is now using trade as a political weapon and political pressure against the measure of the members of the Eurasian Economic Union. And the timing as such is not coincidence. So this does not come as a surprise that Russia aims at hurting Armenia's economy and at this critical time. So EU on our side is a trusted and reliable partner and we will continue supporting Armenia on all issues of importance to its people. Thank you, Anita. And I remind you as well that we published a readout from President von der Leyen's call with the Armenian leader yesterday. Other questions on Armenia for Anita? Other questions on foreign affairs for Anita? She's also covering for Anuar. So if you have questions on the topics Anuar covers, please raise your hand.

Israel-Lebanon talks

Q: Moses, I see your hand is raised. Go ahead. Yes, thank you very much. I would like to follow up on the latest development when it comes to the direct talks between Israel and Lebanon that mediated the United States this week. And if EU has any comment on that, because according to media reports, it's about enforcing, I mean, the broken ceasefire. It's been broken by both sides. And now there is talk about establishing so-called pilot areas from which Hezbollah would withdraw and the Lebanese army would be deployed. Those areas. I wonder if you have any comment on that and if the EU has been consulted on it and whether it could somehow contribute by troops or police or more funding to the Lebanese army in order to implement such a solution, which could lead to a political solution of the conflict between the two countries. Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Mose. Our position has not changed when it comes to the ceasefire brokered by the United States between the Lebanon and Israel. We see this as a renewed opportunity to end this conflict and also achieve lasting peace and security. From our side, the position is very clear. Both Israel and Hezbollah should cease immediately all military action. And the EU urges Hezbollah to fully abide by the terms of the agreement in order for Israel and Lebanon to be able to continue direct negotiations in a constructive spirit.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Anita. Do we have other questions on the Middle East for Anita? No. Do we have other questions for Anita on the files she covers or the files Anwar covers? The entire world, basically. Any questions on the entire world for Anita? No. Thank you very much, Anita. Other questions for us today?

European Ombudsman decision

Q: Simon van Dorpe, are you there? Can you hear us? Yes, I can. Yes, a question on a decision by the European Ombudsman this morning. She found maladministration in how the Commission dealt with a request for access to documents by my colleague Alexander Fanta at Follow the Money. The recommendations also effectively mean that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other commissioners should not be auto-deleting text messages exchanged with EU leaders and government ministers. I was wondering what is the response of the Commission to this decision and are there any changes planned in terms of auto-deleting text messages? Thank you. Go ahead, Balazs.

Spokesperson: Thank you. Indeed, this allows me to set out our position. I have a very brief comment to offer. As usual, we take note of the statement of the Ombudsman and the relevant services of the Commission will carefully analyse it. Allow me to add that for the Commission, transparency obligations are just as important as its many other tasks and duties. The Commission will also always strictly adhere to the principles that have been repeatedly reviewed and confirmed by the courts. Further improvements to transparency obligations, which apply equally to all European institutions, should be implemented in a coherent way. In this regard, we are looking forward to further dialogues on the matter with the Ombudsman and other institutions. Thank you very much, Balazs.

Q: Do we have other questions for Balazs on this specific topic? No. Do we have other questions for Balazs on the many files he covers?

AI envoy support

Q: Max, online. Is it for Balazs? I think it is on the internet. Thank you very much. This may be about the AI envoy again. I want to ask, I know the position will not be remunerated. I want to ask if the Commission will provide any material support to the AI envoy that hasn't been reappointed. For example, an office space or officials to help him in his work. Max, sorry to cut across there. The line is not great. Can you somehow speak slower or speak closer to the mic or make it a bit clearer somehow? Just go again if you don't mind. It's not great, Max. Try once more, okay? Okay. Go ahead.

Spokesperson: Max, I'm really sorry, but the connection is not good enough for us to be able to hear the words you're saying. So, look, if you can try to fix your connection, we'll come back to you. If not, we just ask you to contact Balazs bilaterally.

Q: Other questions for Balazs while Max tries to fix his mic? No. Max, try it once more there if you want, but if not, we just have to come back to you because we really couldn't hear what you were saying. Okay. That's grand. We'll just come back to us in the afternoon bilaterally, Max, if you don't mind. I have Niklas. Is it for Balazs?

AI envoy position clarification

Q (DPA): Hi. Yes, it is. And actually, I think it's the same topic that Max wanted to ask his question. It's on the AI envoy, Niklas Trebner, German News Agency, DPA. I was wondering where the difference is in the view of the commission between the positions the new AI envoy has. Why does he have to give up certain positions and why does he not have to give up his position at Siemens?

Spokesperson: Yeah. So again, as I explained yesterday, when we bring in a special envoy, special advisor, we have the duty to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest between the professional activities here at Siemens and the professional activities here at DPA. So, yes, there is a

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