Ambassadors of EU member states approved sanctions against 19 representatives of the Iranian regime during a COREPER II meeting in Brussels.

While leaders attend pre-agreed summits, ambassadors in Coreper II steer the EU's course, addressing issues from Trump's threats over Greenland to the war in Ukraine and frozen Russian assets.

EU ambassadors approved a number of new individual sanctions decisions at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) in Brussels on the morning of 11 March. Later in the day, they are set to discuss extending existing personal sanctions related to the undermining of Ukraine's territorial integrity as a result of Russian aggression.

During a working dinner on Wednesday evening, ambassadors of EU member states meeting in the COREPER II format made it clear to a representative of the European Commission that they do not support a fast-track format for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.