Luxembourg Blocks EU Sanctions on Rwanda Amid Congo Crisis
Above: Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel addresses the media before an EU Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in the Europa building in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2025. Image copyright: Thierry Monasse/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The veto decision represents an unacceptable stance that undermines EU unity and potentially enables continued violence in the DRC, while raising serious questions about Luxembourg's economic interests in Rwanda's financial sector and illegal mineral exploitation.
Establishment-critical narrative
Luxembourg's position is strategically sound as immediate sanctions could derail ongoing negotiations between African foreign ministers in Harare. Maintaining diplomatic leverage is crucial for achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict, while still keeping the option of sanctions on the table if required.