EU summit to focus more on Middle East than Ukraine
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
At the upcoming summit of European Union leaders, two global conflicts will vie for attention - the war in Ukraine and the one in the Middle East, according to Politico.
The conflict in the Middle East is likely to receive more attention than Ukraine.
However, the EU seems intent on navigating diplomatic procedures to assert itself as a global player capable of influencing the notorious Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Leaders of the 27 countries will try to persuade Israel not to escalate the full-scale Middle Eastern war by attacking Iran, appeal to avoid further conflagration in Lebanon, and some European countries will insist on imposing even greater sanctions against Iran.
According to the draft conclusions of the EU Council, they will call on "all parties to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any action that may increase tensions in the region." This won't make Israelis or Iranians tremble.
If any EU country has modest leverage, it's France, which has joined the United States and the United Kingdom to help counter the Iranian onslaught of 300 drones and missiles launched on Saturday. Paris' advantage lies in being part of the anti-Iran coalition, attempting to restrain Israeli hawks, but there is no doubt that the message from US President Joe Biden indeed matters.
Iran's attack on Israel
On the night of April 14, Iran attacked Israeli territory with 300 drones and missiles. Jerusalem stated that almost all aerial targets were shot down, and the damage from the attack was insignificant.
At the same time, at least half of the ballistic missiles launched by Iran towards Israel malfunctioned. They either failed to launch or crashed shortly after takeoff.
According to foreign journalists, the United States expects Israel to opt for one of the least aggressive options, which could involve strikes outside Iranian territory.
