MEPs debate the situation in Venezuela following the abduction of ex-President Nicolás Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition.

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were extracted from Caracas by US soldiers during a pre-dawn raid on 3 January 2026. They were subsequently flown to New York where they are facing court charges, including for narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine to the US, and possession of machine guns. In parallel, President Donald Trump has also announced that Washington will “run Venezuela”, including its oil industry, for the time being.

During the plenary debate, MEPs will assess the situation and are expected to emphasise the need for a swift and peaceful transition to real democracy in Venezuela. In 2024, the European Parliament awarded Venezuelan opposition politicians María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The latter was also recognised as the country’s legitimate president by MEPs in a resolution adopted the same year.

EP Plenary debate on the situation in Venezuela

MEPs debate the recent events in Iran, where authorities have been responding with massive force to nationwide protests that have erupted in recent weeks.

A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday.

Iranian authorities have intensified their violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, resulting in a dramatic increase in deaths in recent days. Human rights organisations estimate that hundreds of protestors have been killed. Although the country faces an almost total internet shutdown and severe restrictions on telephone communications, information continues to emerge from the country, including authenticated footage showing protesters being killed and rows of bodies placed in bags outside medical facilities.

European Parliament President Metsola has voiced her support for “the courageous people of Iran” and urged the EU to swiftly broaden its sanctions to include all individuals who are sustaining the regime through repression, violence, and killings. On 12 January, she announced a ban on all diplomatic staff and any other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from entering European Parliament premises. “This House will not aid in legitimising this regime that has sustained itself through torture, repression and murder,” President Metsola said.

EP Plenary debate on the widespread demonstrations in Iran and the harsh crackdown

EU foreign affairs priorities. MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee quiz EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas on topical issues including the peace plan for Ukraine, European defence, EU-US relations, the Middle East, enlargement, and EU neighbourhood policy.

AFET Exchange of views with EU High Representative Kaja KALLAS

MEPs and diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas discuss EU action to combat famine in Gaza and the need to release hostages and move towards a two-state solution.

The debate will wrap up with a vote on a resolution on Thursday.

Parliament has called repeatedly – most recently in April – for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, including the unconditional release of all hostages, and free access and sustained distribution of humanitarian and medical assistance in the Gaza Strip. It has also expressed support for the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

Since 7 October 2023, when the Israeli military launched a campaign in response to the Hamas-led attack in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, more than 63,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Global food security experts have confirmed a famine in Gaza City, due to the blockade on humanitarian help, and expect it will soon expand to other cities in the Strip.

Plenary debate on EU action to combat famine in Gaza

On Tuesday morning, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas debate security guarantees and a just peace for Ukraine, as well as the country’s path towards EU membership.

During the debate on EU action to ensure security guarantees for Ukraine, speakers are also expected to take stock of the outcome of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska during the summer, and the continued Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities following the summit. 

MEPs will also discuss a report prepared by Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, which encourages the Ukrainian government to keep up the momentum on implementing reforms along the path towards EU membership. The draft resolution, to be voted on XXXXXXTuesday, also commends Ukraine for its extraordinary efforts in strengthening its democratic institutions at an extremely difficult time, with Russia’s war of aggression raging on.

Plenary debate on security guarantees and a just peace for Ukraine

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East
Risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation
Review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East

MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas discuss the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian military and authorities have been accused of committing a multitude of war crimes in the occupied Ukrainian territories. There have been deliberate attacks against civilian targets, such as hospitals, medical facilities, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas. Other atrocities include the abduction, torture and murder of civilians, forced deportations, including that of children, and the killing and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Following a statement by Ms Kallas, one speaker from each of Parliament’s political groups will take the floor.

EP Plenary debate on Russian war crimes in Ukraine

MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine.

The debate is likely to focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty.

Debate on Russian disinformation on Ukraine

European Council

AFET - Structured Dialogue on the Commission Work Programme: Exchange of views with Kaja Kallas, High Representative/Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

EP Plenary session - Attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in LithuaniaAttempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania

EP Plenary session - Preparations for the EU-India summit

EP Plenary session - Situation in Venezuela

EP Plenary session - Brutal repression against protesters in Iran

EP Plenary session - Territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark : the need for a united EU response to US blackmail attempts

Conference of Presidents - Exchange of views with Ms KALLAS, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

AFET - Exchange of views with Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

This video shows extracts from the arrivals and doorsteps by Renew Europe leaders, who meet ahead of the European Council meeting. Valerie Hayer, Renew Europe President, sets their priorities on the current situation in the Middle East, on Ukraine and on the upcoming elections in Slovenia. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Renew Europe leaders meet ahead of the European Council meeting: arrivals and doorsteps

This News item shows extracts from the exchange of views of the AFET Committee with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In the framework of the Structured Dialogue on the Commission Work Programme, they address recent foreign policy developments and its upcoming initiatives. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

Exchange of views with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: extracts from the AFET Committee meeting

As part of the Structured Dialogue on the Commission Work Programme, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) convenes an exchange of views with Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the Commission and High Representative. The discussion focuses on how the Commission is addressing recent foreign policy developments and outlines its forthcoming initiatives. The session is opened by Kaja Kallas andDavid McAllister, Chair of the AFET Committee, and is followed by a question-and-answer segment with Members of the European Parliament. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Structured Dialogue on the Commission Work Programme: opening statements by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative/Vice-President for Foreign Affairs, and David MCALLISTER, Chair of AFET

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, and António COSTA, President of the European Council, close the debate. At their meeting in Brussels, European leaders reinforced the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine and agreed to provide a €90 billion loan for 2026-2027 based on EU borrowing, while deferring the use of frozen Russian assets for reparations. On the Middle East, they reiterated the EU’s commitment to a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution. On defence and security, the European Council strongly condemned recent hybrid attacks against EU member states and reviewed progress on boosting EU defence readiness. Leaders also discussed the geoeconomic situation and its implications for the EU’s competitiveness, addressed the 2028-2034 EU long-term budget, and reaffirmed that enlargement remains a key geostrategic priority.

Joint debate - European Council meeting (18 December 2025): closing statements by Kaja KALLAS,, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and António COSTA, President of the European Council

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, closes the debate on the situation in Venezuela, following the abduction of ex-President Nicolás Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition. Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were extracted from Caracas by US soldiers during a pre-dawn raid on 3 January 2026. They were subsequently flown to New York where they are facing court charges, including for narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine to the US, and possession of machine guns. In parallel, President Donald Trump has also announced that Washington will “run Venezuela”, including its oil industry, for the time being.

Situation in Venezuela: closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, opens the debate on the situation in Venezuela, following the abduction of ex-President Nicolás Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition. Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were extracted from Caracas by US soldiers during a pre-dawn raid on 3 January 2026. They were subsequently flown to New York where they are facing court charges, including for narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine to the US, and possession of machine guns. In parallel, President Donald Trump has also announced that Washington will “run Venezuela”, including its oil industry, for the time being.

Situation in Venezuela: opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

This News item shows extracts from MEPs debate on the situation in Venezuela following the abduction of ex-President Nicolás Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition. Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were extracted from Caracas by US soldiers during a pre-dawn raid on 3 January 2026. They were subsequently flown to New York where they are facing court charges, including for narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine to the US, and possession of machine guns. In parallel, President Donald Trump has also announced that Washington will “run Venezuela”, including its oil industry, for the time being. During the plenary debate, MEPs assess the situation and emphasise the need for a swift and peaceful transition to real democracy in Venezuela.

Situation in Venezuela: extracts from the debate

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, closes the debate on brutal repression against protesters in Iran. Iranian authorities have intensified their violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, resulting in a dramatic increase in deaths in recent days. Human rights organisations estimate that hundreds of protestors have been killed. Although the country faces an almost total internet shutdown and severe restrictions on telephone communications, information continues to emerge from the country, including authenticated footage showing protesters being killed and rows of bodies placed in bags outside medical facilities.

Brutal repression against protesters in Iran: closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

KALLAS, Kaja (EE, EC)

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