The MFP, the Middle East and Ukraine will mark Sánchez and Albares’ first major European week without Orbán

Eduardo González The European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028-2034, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine (especially relevant after Viktor Orbán's defeat in Hungary), and the situation in the Middle East (with the EU-Israel Association Agreement hanging in the balance) will define this week's final meetings of the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council of the current Cypriot EU Presidency. This Monday, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares will participate in another meeting with his EU counterparts, where they will discuss the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and relations between the European Union and China in the current geopolitical context. The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) will be held in Luxembourg and will be chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. According to the Council, the meeting will begin with a discussion on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, following an informal videoconference exchange with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The foreign ministers will also address the situation in the Middle East in light of the latest developments in the Iran-Israel conflict and its regional repercussions, as well as the critical situation in Lebanon in the context of the ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Shiite militia Hezbollah, and the problems in Gaza and the West Bank resulting from Israeli attacks and aggression by violent settlers. Association Agreement At the FAC meeting in April, the lack of unanimity prevented the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, requested by Spain and other countries due to human rights violations. The proposal is stalled due to the firm opposition of Germany and Italy. Therefore, at the last Foreign Affairs Council meeting, held last May, José Manuel Albares requested that, given that the suspension of the Association Agreement requires unanimity, those parts of the Agreement that simply require a qualified majority, such as the one relating to free trade, be put to a vote. Shortly before, Kaja Kallas pointed out that the suspension of the trade pillar of the agreement would only require a qualified majority. Nevertheless, Albares lamented that "even so, an agreement has not been reached." Separately, Kaja Kallas announced at the end of May that this EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on June 15 will address a possible sanction against the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, requested by Spain following the controversial video in which this member of Benjamin Netanyahu's government is seen humiliating activists detained during the latest Israeli raid on the Sumud Global Flotilla, and could analyze "possible restrictions on trade linked to settlements" in the West Bank. On Tuesday, Luxembourg will host the EU General Affairs Council meeting, where European Affairs ministers will discuss preparations for the June European Council and debate the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, with the possibility of partial agreements on key budgetary instruments. They will also discuss the European Semester by adopting country-specific recommendations and provide an update on the Article 7 procedure concerning Hungary, following the electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán's government. European Council The week will conclude on Thursday and Friday in Brussels with the European Council meeting, where the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, and the other EU leaders will discuss competitiveness and global economic challenges, the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East. At the end of May, the coalition of 16 Member States known as the "Friends of Cohesion" (which includes Spain) issued a joint declaration advocating for a multiannual financial framework for the period 2028-2034 with increased resources for cohesion policy, the common agricultural policy, and the common fisheries policy, as well as financing mechanisms based on new own resources and joint debt, while also preserving the capacity of Member States to decide on the allocation and management of funds. Hungary The last European Council meeting was held on March 19, although an informal meeting of heads of state or government took place in Cyprus on April 23 and 24. Therefore, this is the first European summit since Orbán's electoral defeat in the general elections of April 12 in Hungary. During his years in power, Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, repeatedly criticized Brussels' policy towards Ukraine, even going so far as to block some European support measures for Kyiv, such as the €90 billion loan (agreed upon by the European Council in December 2025) and the twentieth package of sanctions. The new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has pledged to revitalize Hungary's relations with the European Union and support the €90 billion loan to Ukraine. However, he has also requested that Hungary be exempted from contributing funds because the country is "in a very difficult financial situation." He further stated his support for Ukraine's accession to the EU, but not in an "accelerated" manner, because "it would be impossible for a country at war to be admitted to the EU." Magyar also cautioned that Hungary "cannot change geography" and will need to find ways to continue importing energy resources, including those from Russia.

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