The informal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, known as the Gymnich format, took place on May 7-8, 2025, in Warsaw, Poland. Hosted by Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, the meeting brought together foreign ministers from across the European Union to discuss pressing international challenges and strategic priorities. Before diving into specific discussions, Minister Sikorski set the tone, stating, ”We are living in interesting times and the Gymnich as you know is informal, it’s an opportunity for ministers to strategize and there is plenty to strategize about”218.

Ukraine Support and Russia Sanctions

A central focus of the meeting was Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, with ministers reaffirming their unwavering support for Kyiv. The participants agreed that maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions remains crucial. High Representative Kallas revealed work on the 17th sanctions package, stating, ”In order for Russia to want peace, we also should put more pressure on them”710. Ministers emphasized that Ukraine had already agreed to an unconditional ceasefire over 50 days ago, while Russia showed no signs of wanting peace7.

The meeting produced several concrete steps regarding Ukraine, including plans to make €1 billion available for Ukraine’s defense industry and political endorsement to establish a war crimes tribunal for crimes of aggression7. As Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen remarked, ”We must support Ukraine and maximise the pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position. The peace to be achieved must be a just and lasting one”6.

Notably, many EU foreign ministers planned to travel to Ukraine on May 9 (Europe Day) as a diplomatic show of force to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ”Victory Day” celebration in Moscow14. New German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul delivered a strong message following the meeting: ”Everyone in Moscow must know that they have to reckon with us. Europe will support Ukraine”15.

Key Peace Parameters

High Representative Kallas outlined several non-negotiable parameters for any peace process:

  • Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity

  • No recognition of occupied territories

  • Unconditional ceasefire with strong monitoring

  • No restrictions on Ukraine’s right to self-defense

  • Robust security guarantees

  • Ukraine’s freedom regarding its future, with no forced neutrality

  • Return of prisoners of war and deported children7

Strengthening EU-UK Relations

The first day of the Gymnich meeting featured the participation of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, highlighting the importance of EU-UK cooperation post-Brexit. Discussions centered on security cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties, with ministers agreeing on the importance of concluding a Security and Defence Partnership Agreement218.

Both parties emphasized their alignment on support for Ukraine and the need to maintain pressure on Russia. As Kallas noted, ”We can start off with [a] meeting with the UK – who is our very good partner. We [will] discuss our bilateral relations and how we can move on with the Security and Defence Partnership”10. This engagement represents a significant step in UK-EU relations, with reports indicating that a new ”strategic partnership” focused on trade and security was being drawn up for finalization at a UK-EU summit in London on May 1914.

Middle East Crisis Discussions

Although not originally on the agenda, the deteriorating situation in Gaza emerged as a significant discussion point. High Representative Kallas reported that ”the majority of European countries agreed that the situation in Gaza is untenable and rapidly deteriorating”7. Ministers expressed concerns about Israeli plans to intensify military operations and take over aid distribution in Gaza.

The meeting revealed deepening divisions within the EU regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp proposed reviewing the EU’s association agreement with Israel, writing to Kallas that Israel’s blockade of Gaza breached the terms of its free trade agreement with the EU11. Supporting this position, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon stated, ”The world has clearly failed on the test of humanity”8, while Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized that the EU ”will never accept the displacement of people” from Gaza8.

However, Austria, Germany, and Hungary have consistently backed the Israeli government, creating a split that Kallas acknowledged: ”You know very well that on certain issues we have very divergent views”8. Formal discussions on reviewing the EU’s trade agreement with Israel were scheduled for later in May8.

Transatlantic Relations and Defense Spending

Ministers also addressed EU-US relations, particularly from a foreign and security policy perspective. Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen highlighted that ”The United States and the United Kingdom are the most important strategic partners for the EU. The commitment of the United States to Europe’s security is still essential”6. At the same time, she acknowledged Europe’s responsibility to increase its own security contributions.

The discussions took place against the backdrop of concerns about defense spending across the EU. Poland, which currently holds the EU presidency, has prioritized strengthening European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food, and health4. However, reports indicate that Poland is worried that other EU member states might not request exemptions from EU borrowing constraints to increase defense spending, potentially undermining the EU’s target of €650 billion in defense investments over the next four years17.

Regional Tensions and Bilateral Issues

The meeting also addressed other regional tensions, including the escalating situation between India and Pakistan. Kallas mentioned speaking with foreign ministers from both countries to urge de-escalation, stating, ”nobody wins from this war”7.

Additionally, Poland used the meeting to assert its position on migration, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk declaring that Poland would not accept groups of illegal migrants being sent onto its territory, a response to Germany’s announcement that it would reject undocumented migrants at its borders16.

Conclusion and Future Steps

The Gymnich meeting in Warsaw showcased both unity and division within the EU on various foreign policy fronts. While there was strong consensus on supporting Ukraine and strengthening relations with the UK, significant differences emerged regarding the approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The meeting highlighted Poland’s focus on security as the central theme of its EU presidency, with Foreign Minister Sikorski emphasizing the informal nature of the gathering as ”an opportunity for ministers to strategize”2.

Following the two-day ministerial gathering, discussions were scheduled to continue with representatives from EU candidate countries, demonstrating the EU’s ongoing commitment to enlargement despite the current security challenges2. The concrete outcomes, particularly regarding Ukraine support and the potential review of EU-Israel relations, will likely shape EU foreign policy in the coming months as the bloc navigates an increasingly complex international landscape.