EC Briefing — Monday, 8 June 2026

Key Points

• The EU has released nearly 2.8 billion euros to Ukraine to support its recovery and reforms.
• Total EU support to Ukraine since March 2024 has reached 29.5 billion euros.
• Transport ministers are discussing decarbonization efforts and maritime industrial strategy in Luxembourg today.
• The EU has adopted steel safeguard measures to protect its steel sector from global overcapacity.
• An enhanced dialogue with Georgia will address the suspension of visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders.
• The Commission is monitoring alumina exports from Ireland to Russia amid concerns over military contributions.

Full Transcript

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

Opening Statement

Good afternoon and welcome to our midday briefing of the 8th of June.

Now before giving you the floor, let me share a couple of announcements with you and I will start by calling Guillaume to join me at the podium. Guillaume has an announcement concerning our support to Ukraine. Guillaume.

Spokesperson: Thank you Paula. Good afternoon. So indeed today we have released nearly 2.8 billion euros to Ukraine under the Ukrainian facility. The funding will help Ukraine meet its financing needs and maintain public administration as it continues to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression. So this is the seventh disbursement under the Ukrainian facility. The EU's key instrument to support Ukraine recovery reform agenda and progress towards EU membership. So since March 2024, total EU support to Ukraine under the Ukraine plan has reached 29.5 billion euros. So today's payment follows Ukraine implementation of reforms in key sectors including public finances, the judiciary, energy, agriculture and digitalization. It also marks further progress on Ukraine's path towards EU membership.

Thank you Guillaume for this very good news indeed. I'll continue in French and I would like to recall that the transport ministers of the European Union are meeting today in Luxembourg with the participation of Commissioner Jozef Síkela who represents the commission at the meeting. On the agenda in particular the draft regulation on company cars and the decarbonization efforts in transport above and beyond 2030. The ministers are also to adopt two series of council conclusions. One on the maritime industrial strategy for the European Union and the other one on the EU port strategy. Commissioner Jozef Síkela will participate in a press conference that will take place at the end of the meeting a little bit later today. I would invite you to look at the council updates so that you can see what time the press conference will take place and reserve your questions accordingly. As you know ministers of the defense of the European Union held an informal meeting today in Cyprus. This is under the aegis of the high representative Kallis and as far as I know the press conference wrapped up just a few minutes ago. Any issues relating to defense and Ukraine on the agenda for this council have been reserved and were reserved for that particular press conference. So those are announcements and now we can move on to your questions.

Steel safeguard measures discussion

Q (Swiss News Agency): Thank you for the floor. Rafael Zwahlen with the Swiss News Agency. I have two questions on the decision today of the council regarding the steel safeguard measures who were adopted. So I want to know if you could just give a statement on this adoption and then secondly I would like to know where do you stand with the negotiations with third countries, especially with Switzerland, regarding new quotas which I think should enter into force on the 1st of July. Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you and on steel safeguard measures that's our dear Olaf. Please Olaf, what's the latest? Thank you Paola. Thank you Rafael. So in response to your questions what I can say is that we welcome the adoption by the council on the measure to protect the EU steel sector against global overcapacity. I remind you that the European Parliament already adopted the agreed text in May. As you rightly point out the measure will enter into force on the 1st of July 2026 when the current steel safeguard expires and on your second question as you know we don't comment on the details of ongoing negotiations but I can assure you that constructive engagement is happening with all our global partners including Switzerland. Thank you Olaf. Other questions to Olaf? No? Good. Then we can change topic.

EU-Georgia visa negotiations

Q: Yes please. I guess I have question to Markus about the meeting 11th on June with Georgian side about visa free and as we haven't much information about this, Markus can you tell us more details for example for me as a Georgian? Is this format new and will be used regarding Georgia? Which kind of goal Commission wants to achieve? Which kind of expectations Commission has regarding Georgia? And what will be after this meeting? And in general, does this meeting mean that visa-free for Georgian citizens under danger? Thank you and sorry for a lot of questions together.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Tamara. I'm going to try and reply them all in one go. So for context, in March 2026, the Commission suspended visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic service and official passports for an initial period of 12 months. This was after member states agreed to this. Now, when a visa-free agreement is suspended, the Commission establishes something that we call an enhanced dialogue with the third country concerned. And the aim is to remedy the circumstances that have led to the suspension. And in this context, a first meeting will be held on 11th June between the European Commission and a delegation of Georgian officials. So this is what the meeting is about. And to recall, the Commission considers that the actions of the Georgian authorities undermine the principles of which visa liberation is based, including the respect for human rights and democratic principles. They are inconsistent with the norms and values of the Union and they hamper the steady development of economic, humanitarian, cultural, scientific and other ties between the Union and Georgia. A follow-up, Tamara?

Q: Follow-up. So what we can expect after meeting? There will be maybe assessment, open assessment, or can we ask questions regarding then this meeting? Or there will be some briefing or something to have the update after this meeting? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thanks. No, this is a technical meeting which takes place in the process and in the context of the suspension. And maybe ask me after the meeting if I can give you a readout. Let's see what we can share after the meeting.

Q: Holon for Markus. Go ahead. Thank you very much. I have a follow-up on this. Since you've been criticizing the Georgian government for a long time and it was Prime Minister Viktor Orban who blocked many of the steps, do you expect or do you hope for some further steps regarding the EU-Georgia relations so that there would be consequences of the actions which you are criticizing by the Georgian government? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thanks, Roland. So what I've just talked about is this visa suspension for diplomatic passport holders. This is where we are. I have nothing further to add. Okay. Still for Markus? Yes.

EU-Taliban meeting updates

Q (Il Manifesto): Yes, hello. Andrea Valdembrini, Italian newspaper Il Manifesto. Yes, for Markus. Do you have any updates or news to share about the meeting of the European Commission with the Taliban, the Afghan representative? And at some point you will share some information? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you very much for the question. That's something that we've discussed also on Friday. I have no further updates to share at this moment. Okay. Other questions to Markus? I don't see any. We can change topic.

Ireland alumina exports to Russia

Q: Hello, Paula. I have a question on a matter that I think hasn't been discussed yet here at midday. It involves this scandal in Ireland regarding alumina exports to Russia. There's been an investigation that shows a specific plant in Ireland is exporting its majority of exports to Russia. We know that alumina such is not banned under the EU sanctions, but of course there's great suspicion that these exports could contribute to the military-industrial complex. So just to note, is the Commission involved in any way with Ireland regarding this matter? Are you discussing the issue? Have you asked for explanations for an investigation? And what are your expectations regarding the Irish government? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Yes, let's have Siobhan addressing this question. Good afternoon, everyone. On this point, Jorge, we had more or less the same question last week. As you know, we never comment on our upcoming sanctions packages. We are, with every sanctions package, looking at ways that we can close loopholes, always, as I've said repeatedly, with a goal to maximizing pressure on Russia and minimizing any revenues that they would take from the sanctions. So beyond that, we really can't say more than that. We always appreciate the work of investigative journalists, because they do play a fundamental part of what we do on looking at further measures, but I can't comment on this specific case at this time.

Spokesperson: So not on the sanctions, indeed. As you know, we are working on the 21st package of sanctions, and we should be able to adopt it on our side very, very soon. Still this week. Now, on the second leg of your question, Roland, the question on whether the subject in general of Alumina and this manufacturing plant is being addressed in any way, I think Anita has some further information, which was also tackled, if I understand correctly, this morning by HRVP Calas. The High Representative will meet the Prime Minister, the Irish Prime Minister, who will also issue a media advisory shortly on this. Several topics will be discussed, including the support to Ukraine and also further pressure on Russia, but also this specific topic will be addressed as a matter of concern. So that replies to the second part of your question. So that replies to the second part of your question. Good, now we have Anita with us. Other foreign affairs?

Sanctions package updates

Q (Public Broadcast of Ukraine): Valeria Pashko, Public Broadcast of Ukraine. Just to clarify, you just said that the 21st package of sanctions could be adopted this week. Did I understand correctly? Thank you.

Delisting Chinese semiconductor company

Q: Yes, David. Yes, thank you. David Carretta, Radio Radicale. It's a follow-up on sanctions. Is it correct that the Commission has proposed to delist the China company active on a semiconductor for the automotive industry? And if yes, why? Thank you. David, if I'm not mistaken, you're referring to the 20th package of sanctions, so one which is already out there. Let me park for a minute that question, just to make sure that we don't have further questions for Anita. We do. Irini. Hi, Paula. It's about a confirmed incident by the Republic of Cyprus involving interference with an aircraft carried by Greek, Dutch and French defence ministers en route to Cyprus on Sunday, ahead of the FAC defence configuration meeting that takes place today in Kosia. Cyprus has been informed by the ministers involved that their aircraft were subjected to interference originating from the illegal Tymvou airport and in the case of the Greek defence minister, Turkish fighter jets were also observed operating in the area. Cyprus will raise the matter through the appropriate international channels and the defence minister will brief KALAS and the EUCO, as we hear from Nicosia. Do you have anything on this? Has the Ministry of Defence reached out to the Commission or will you... The FAC defence is still ongoing. The higher representative is still there, so at this stage we don't have further elements on this. Indeed. So Irini, it's still ongoing, the Foreign Affairs Council on Defence, so it could come up, but we don't have more information for the moment. Other questions to Anita? Yes. Yes, thank you. It's Augustin Paloche. Anita, do you have any comment or statement on recent elections in Kosovo? I saw that the higher representative tweeted also Commissioner for Enlargement. Do you expect... How do you think that those elections will affect the relations of Kosovo with the European Union? Thank you very much, Augustin. Indeed, I refer you also to the tweet of the higher representative and this is something that we are expecting, that the political leaders will engage now constructively to ensure a swift formation of the government and our reference of the importance to progress, to ensure progress in the Belgrade-Pristina. normalization of relations with Serbia remains essential for advancing on Kosovo's European path. Thank you. Other questions for Anita? No? Good. Then let's call Siobhan up again. David, just for recording purposes, very, very briefly, if you can repeat the question regarding the 20th package of sanctions, so the one already in force. Sure. Thank you,

Q (Radio Radicale): David Carretta, Radio Radicale. Is it true that the Commission has proposed to delist the Chinese company active in the semiconductor and chips sector? And this was a request by the automotive sector in Europe, and if you have proposed this delisting, why? Thank you. Thanks, David. We have not proposed to delist this company. Let me give you a bit of context. We, in the 20th sanctions package, we had designated a Chinese company called Yangzhou Yangjie Electronics, which manufactures semiconductors. And we listed them because they have significantly aided Russia's military capabilities by providing equipment used in drones and glide bombs that we've seen used on the battlefield in Ukraine by Russian troops. And as always with our sanctions, our goal is to change behavior and to find a balance to make sure that our sanctions don't produce a significant impact in the EU itself. However, we are proposing a temporary derogation of nine months because this company is a key supplier to a number of European automotive companies, and therefore, the listing would create severe disruption to their supply chains of chips. But again, let me be clear that this is not a delisting. The company remains sanctioned. It is a temporary derogation to allow automotive manufacturers to find companies, which we know they exist and they are out there, in order to be able to secure contracts with those companies. But the company itself is still listed, and any change or amendment to that would have to be adopted, of course, by unanimity in the Council, as is the case with any of our sanctions measures. Thank you, Siobhan, for clarifying. Temporary derogation, not a delisting. Other questions to Siobhan? Yes, please. Thank you. Petr Obrowski, Czech Television. I hope that's the question for you. It's on foreign subsidies regulation with regard to the Czech nuclear power plant Dukovany and the possible subsidies granted to the winner of the public contract, the Korean company KHNP. The Czech Minister of Industry informed on Friday that the Commission has concluded the preliminary review, and that it's good news, according to him, for Czechia. So I wanted to ask if you could confirm this. What was the conclusion in the review, if the Commission is going to proceed with in-depth investigation, or what the next steps will be? Thank you. Indeed. In February last year, the Commission did start what we call a preliminary ex officio investigation under the foreign subsidies regulation of the award of a tender to KNHP to build a new nuclear reactor at Dukovany. And we have decided now to close this preliminary phase based on the information that we have. And let me just say that, of course, this is without prejudice to reopening the investigation or conducting future investigations under the foreign subsidies regulation. But we have, at this time, decided to not proceed further and to close the preliminary investigation. So just a bit of context on the foreign subsidies regulation, because it is a topic that we get a number of questions about here in the press room. It's been in force since January of 2023, and it does give powers to the Commission to investigate public procurement procedures and also launch these types of ex officio investigations where the bidder or their subcontractors may have received foreign subsidies that potentially distort competition in the internal market. But as I said, in this case, we have not found any evidence to that effect, and we have decided to close the ex officio preliminary investigation. Good. A question still on the topic, I figure. Hello. Hello, I have a related question. On December, European Commission has started an in-depth investigation of model of financing of two new units of Dukovany power plants. So I would like to ask if you have any updates in what stage is this investigation, and when should we expect results? Thank you. This one would be for my colleague, Ricardo, on the competition side. So I will let him come up and answer any questions related to that. Good. Let me just see. No further questions to Siobhan. Okay, then we can call Ricardo indeed. It's not always easy to understand where's the dividing line, but because it's competition, Ricardo is in charge. Good afternoon. I'm afraid my answer will be relatively succinct. I just want to say that the investigation is ongoing and will continue. Our investigation in this matter is not directly related to what Siobhan just described in relation to the foreign subsidies regulation investigation. Okay. So because it's ongoing, we cannot say more with your understanding. Good. Other questions to Ricardo? No. Okay. We change topic. Valeria Pashko, public broadcaster of Ukraine. It's to Guillaume. About the tranche for Ukrainian facility, I'm wondering how much money Ukraine didn't receive under this tranche because of unfulfilled reforms? Thanks. So, Guillaume, you mentioned how much it received, Ukraine. And of course, this is always linked to the progress made on the different sectors, and there was a lot of progress made. Despite the terribly challenging circumstances in which Ukraine finds itself, now do we know how much has not been disbursed? Valeria. So you will find, actually, in the data that we published, the list of reforms. So there were 18 reforms that were fulfilled for this request for payment. If I'm not mistaken, 11 for this specific request, for the seventh request for payment. And then there were outstanding – sorry, reforms from the fifth and the sixth payment, and then there were also reforms for future installment that were already put forward by the Ukrainian authorities. When it comes to the amount, I don't have it here. We normally don't communicate on this amount. We communicate on the amount that is disbursed and the implementation of the conditions. But as reforms will take place and will be carried out and implemented, we could expect that there could be additional amounts that we prefer to put it positively and really put forward the encouragement to pursue these structural reforms. Other questions to Guillaume? I mean, if I can add to what – sorry, to what Paola said, it's important to mention, indeed, that Ukraine has put in place this flexibility instrument. So it was foreseen, actually, in the regulation that we have a bit of a buffer zone, a buffer time, actually, for Ukraine to implement. And you see it works. So we can implement and report on previous reforms, and we do it on a case-by-case basis every time we have a request for payment. So this is all in place in the regulation. And as Paola said, this is precisely because the situation on the ground is also quite difficult, so we take this into account. Okay. Yes, Eddie, for Guillaume. Thank you, Eddie Wax, at Euractiv. On Bosnia, it seems like talks have not necessarily gone that well so far on finding a new high representative. Does the Commission have a position on who it should be between Antonio Zanardi-Landi or René Trocas? And does the Commission think it would be a good idea if this position under the Dayton Agreement was transformed into a EU special representative rather than continuing in the same format that we've had Christian Schmidt being under? Thanks. Yes. So on the high representative for Bosnia, Herzegovina, and it is not very straightforward in terms of who takes it up, but in this case, it is Anita, indeed. So we call Anita back to share with us where we are on the… Anita. Indeed on our side what we have is that the EU members of the peace implementation council steering board are of the opinion that the new high representative should be as per tradition from an EU member state so the EU members are fully committed to the appointment of a successor as soon as possible. We value our cooperation with all our partners and we appreciate the constructive engagement for talks that are currently being held and will also happen in the upcoming days. Okay so no final outcome there yet. Stefan. Yes on the same issue follow up the US is accusing Europe or the EU actually that this election couldn't happen because of internal divisions of European states so how do you act to this accusation and who is the EU as such actually supporting? There are two Europeans if I understand in the race. Thank you. Thank you as said discussions are ongoing we're looking forward to having constructive talks and once we have a result we'll communicate on this. I have nothing further at this stage. Good nothing to add at this point on this topic. Eddie. I understand you can't answer maybe because the US is right and the EU is divided but on the question of whether it should be a special representative not a high representative could you answer on that please? So the discussions are now ongoing on the high representative so as soon as we have further clarity after these talks with all our partners we will inform obviously. There's no right or wrong there are ongoing discussions and eventually there will be an agreement on the successor of Kirsten Schmitt. Other questions I think for Anita we had already exhausted so let's see if there's still any for Guillaume. No. Okay other topics today Nouridine. Thank you Paula. I have a question today we are in 100 days after the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. My question is how the relationship between the two countries my question is how the European Union energy market is being impacted because very often Commissioner for Energy as well as Madam von der Leyen spoke that the European Union is going through hard time hard months and even maybe years possibly. Thank you. Yes Nouridine yes you're right to recall that's been 100 days since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East of course with impacts on Europe on various sectors on energy in particular. Eva today stepping in for Anna Kaiser can share some of the figures regarding this impact. Yes good afternoon everybody it is with me today Nouridine. I can start with an example that I can give you. Our bill for fossil fuel imports has increased by over 47 billion euro in the past 10 days. This is the price that we pay with not a single molecule of energy in addition but what is important to say that we haven't suffered any disruptions. The security of supply is ensured and this is the most important and it shows that our systems were prepared and work very well. So that was also due to the fact that we diversified our supplies. We increased the share of our home grown energy in our mix and we boost the energy efficiency. And so obviously we are experiencing a price shock. This is the consequence but it's important to make this distinction and we are constantly monitoring the supply of the energy. You know that we have a strong coordination on all sides. We are working hand in hand with member states with stakeholders and we are ready to take some further actions if necessary. So if you ask about future with the prolonged conflict in Hormuz obviously we might face some difficulties and we were never hiding this. We can experience it in the coming weeks, months and so on. But up till now it's clear that we have been very well prepared for a crisis like this. We have also provided guidance to our member states on the necessary measures to bring relief for the citizens and for the companies and we continue to exercise our coordination role which is the main role that we have. You know that we have oil and gas coordination group. Both of them will meet soon and they will take stocks of the situation and of the reaction of the markets. But the impact on the bill is huge as Eva reminded us. Other questions to Eva? Today also stepping in for Anna Kaiser. No. Other questions? Lorenzo. It's about the decision by the Commission today to approve the 23 billions stated for renewables in Italy. My question is is this enough to reach the objectives of the Italian plan for renewables in 2030 because it's quite a substantial contribution. But my question is this enough? Does Italy have to do more because there was a big discussion about the fact that there was not enough effort on renewables until now and that's why electricity is so expensive? Thank you. Yes, Lorenzo. So because it's a state aid decision, Ricardo is back on the podium to run us through what it means this decision on state aid for Italy. Good afternoon, Lorenzo. I mean Italy indeed, the Commission has today approved the state aid scheme that had been notified by Italy. The budget for this is up to 23 billion. It's important to note of course that this will then depend on the implementation and the actual need for the money because of the way the scheme is structured. The expectation currently is that this will add just over 37 gigawatts of renewable power and here we're talking about typically onshore wind or solar power or hydropower. And that this, I mean for reference, this is about 50% of the current renewable capacity in Italy and that this in turn will contribute to achieving the target for Italy of just over 39% of electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2030. Now precisely how the numbers will work, it will depend on the actual implementation of the scheme. This basically sets out the approval that then allows Italy to implement the scheme in the future. Yes, David. Yes, it's a follow-up but maybe for Balazs because it's linked to the national escape clause that the Commission proposed last week. I would like to know if those measures, those state aids, will be eligible to let's say the new national escape clause and so basically there will be flexibility for the Italian government to free money and use it in another way. Thank you. So the interlinkage, will the state aid that we approve today be linked in any way to the national escape clause and the flexibility? Yeah, I don't mean to disappoint but on this point I think some discussions will still be needed. So we propose what we proposed last week, activation will be allowed, but what exact measures can come under this additional flexibility, this is to be discussed with the Member States. So there's a lot of technical work being undertaken at the moment to determine exactly what goes and what doesn't go. So I think I would have to leave it there for now. Also because if we remember correctly the flexibility approved last week is limited in time, it's temporary, it's limited in scope, so of course it would need to be assessed whether everything that is there in the package of the state aid decision also meets these criteria. Other questions to Balazs? Yes. Tatiana Vysotskaya, European Pravda Ukraine. My question is about the loan of 90 billion euros. Because today we have received 2.8 billion in frames of Ukraine facility. And maybe you have a good news when Ukraine will receive first disbursements of the 90 billion loan in military and budgetary part. Thank you. I don't want to share two times bad news. I will share good news on this occasion. Indeed, the good news is that it's going to happen in June. The specific date I'm not able to supply it yet. We are talking about 9.1 billion in total. So this will reach Ukraine in the course of this month. A part of it will be, as you know better than me, for defense purposes, 5.1 and 5.9 actually, and 3.2 for budget support. So we are, let's say, fleshing out the final details. And then the first transactions will be good to go still in the course of this month, so within the second quarter. Good. Other questions to Balazs? No. Other topics today? Eddie. Thank you. I may be wrong, and please correct me if or when I am wrong. But it looks like today the president met the minister-president of Schleswig-Holstein, but did not meet the president of Kenya, and left that job to Henne Verkunen. I was wondering why Ursula von der Leyen did not meet the Kenyan president. Thanks. Thank you, Eddie. Yes, I can confirm that the president is meeting today. To be honest, I can't remember when exactly, the president of Schleswig-Holstein. I don't have the information with me on why the president is not meeting the president of Kenya, but indeed we can confirm that EVP Verkunen is meeting the president of Kenya. I have one question online. Mose. Yes, thank you, Paula. I would like to ask about the meeting which takes place in Brazil today, and that is the annual EU-Israel seminar on combating antisemitism. So I have two small questions. First, who are representing the Commission in that meeting? And secondly, about the increase in anti-Semitism. Of course, it existed before the 7th of October 23, but it has increased alarmingly since then. So I would like to ask if you think, having a comment on whether Israel's actions and warfare in the Middle East conflict has in some way fueled that increase in anti-Semitism, and if so, what is EU's response to that? Thank you. Mose, thank you for the question. I can confirm that today the EU-Israel high-level seminar on combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life is taking place in Israel. This is a regular seminar that takes place since 2007, under which the Commission and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs address combating anti-Semitism in Europe and beyond. The focus of the high-level seminar is combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life in the light of the significant increase online and offline of anti-Semitism since October 7, 2023. Experts, Jewish communities, and representatives from the EU and Israel are discussing the main threats faced by Jewish communities, anti-Semitism, Holocaust remembrance, Jewish life and education and research, as well as challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in countering anti-Semitism. Thank you. Thank you. Other questions to Marcus? No. And I don't see other online questions. Other questions in the room? Neither. So we go for an earlier lunch today. Thank you all very much. Bon appétit and see you tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. It's almost 9 a.m. It's a beautiful day. It's a beautiful day. The weather is fantastic. It's a very, very beautiful day. It's a very, very beautiful day. I'm so excited. I'm so excited to be here. I'm so excited. I'm so excited to be here. And I love that I get to be here. I'm so excited. I'm so excited. www.un.org www.un.org www.un.org www.un.org www.un.org www.un.org www.un.org www.un.org

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