Catherine Nicholson interviews Stefano Sannino, the head of the EU's global network of 144 ambassadors and heads of delegation. The Secretary General of the European External Action Service addresses the West's concerns about the latest joint Russian-Belarusian military activities, warning that further EU sanctions against Minsk could be on the way. He also discusses the growing Russia-Iran military partnership, and touches on the EU's relations with China and the UK.
"The [Belarus] regime is very much aware of the fact that this war [in Ukraine] is extremely unpopular in the country and they're not sure they would have full control of their security structures if they got involved directly. But it is also true that they are supporting Russia and helping Russia to circumvent our sanctions. That is why we want to align, much more, sanctions on Russia with sanctions on Belarus," Sannino said.
Asked about the Iranian-made drones being used to inflict damage on Ukraine, he said: "The drones [in Ukraine] have been found and opened and we have seen from inside the components and the producers, so it's difficult to say that they are not Iranian. But it's harder to see whether this was done on a commercial basis or more on a political basis. In any case we have a lot of contacts with the Iranians; there are a lot of exchanges and we will continue to push and to insist, in order to avoid any sort of alignment between Iran and Russia."
Finally, asked about the situation in the UK, following the resignation of Liz Truss after just 44 days as prime minister, Sannino said: "Political instability is a concern for everyone, when a country like the UK is not managing to have a stable political framework. It's worrying from many points of view. At the same time, the solidity of the democracy of the country and its administration is an element that is always helping to face turbulences."
Produced by Isabelle Romero, Sophie Samaille and Perrine Desplats
