“The fact that Russia increases its influence in Libya is the subject of our concern and therefore we must establish a dialogue with Libya,” Brunner said in an interview with Politico during the summit of European interior ministers in the Bavarian Alps. – There is certainly a danger that Russia […] He will use migrants and the issue of migration as a whole as a weapon against Europe. Such actions are already taking place and of course we are afraid that Russia intends to do the same in the case of Libya.
Brunner's comment appears only a few weeks after Haftar humiliated Brussels, throwing a migration commissioner from Bengazi. It happened during a visit to this country of ministers from Italy, Greece and Malta, who strive to limit the influx of migrants from North Africa to their countries.
Libyan officials then considered Brunner as “persona non grata” because he and other members of the European diplomatic delegation, fearing that they would be considered legitimizing administration, which most of the world does not recognize, refused to photograph themselves during a meeting with Haftar ministers.
Brunner's position suggests that the EU intends to resume talks with embroidery despite the reservations of European leaders regarding cooperation with this Libyan commander. The warlord controls the Libyan National Army and rules Eastern Libya as a military dictator, At the same time, strengthening cooperation with Putin.
“In Bengazi, we didn't know who people sitting opposite us were,” Brunner admitted. – It wasn't entirely clear. And that's why the conversations did not come to fruition. But of course we are ready to resume them at any time. In my opinion, this is absolutely necessary – he assessed. In his opinion, there are still communication channels at the technical level that work very well.
Growing pressure
Europe works in an atmosphere of growing pressure because Italy and Greece are beating an alarm in connection with the growing number of people applying for asylum who come from Libya boats. Although in the first half of 2025 the number of illegal exceedances of the EU border fell by 20 percent. In comparison with the same period of the previous year, the number of people arriving on the Middle and Middle Minoring route from North Africa increased. This means that this trail remains the most commonly used from all roads leading to the EU and is responsible for 39 percent. all illegal to come.
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In response to a rapid increase in the number of people coming from Libya, the Greek government suspended the consideration of asylum applications for migrants reaching Greece by sea from North Africa for three months. This was met with a sharp criticism of the organization of human rights.
The EU is afraid that Putin will do Libya as he tried to do it in some parts of Eastern Europe, where he wants a hybrid war against the Union, using, among others, migration as a weapon. EU countries accuse Minsk and Moscow of facilitating the illegal crossing of the border by people applying for asylum through Poland and Lithuania. It is a tactic aimed at putting pressure on European rule by sowing political disagreement and strengthening support for anti -immigration parties, often friendly Russia.
“Europe has no choice”
Brunner said that the dangers of Putin's influence in Libya they leave no other choiceas soon as you take talks with embroidery and “put our proposals in the field of migration policy on the table.” According to Brunner, this would mean a combination of negotiations on migration with issues such as development help for Libya or facilitating Libyans to obtain European visas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets the commander of the Libyan National Army Chaliph Haftar in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 10, 2025.Gavril Grigorov / Sputnik / Kremlin Pool / PAP
On Tuesday, EU interior ministers are to deal with the issue of acting against Libya during the informal peak in Copenhagen, in which Brunner participates.
During the migration summit, which took place on July 18 in Germany, the interior ministers tried to agree on the joint proposals for tightening European migration regulations. They achieved a consensus regarding a number of funds, including the creation of special return centers for people who were refused asylum outside the EU, and to allow deportation to Syria and Afghanistan. The peak was organized jointly by Germany and France, and it was attended by other EU countries with a hard position in terms of migration, such as Poland and Denmark.
Libya remains the subject of special fears of EU leaders. According to the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) There are over 600,000 in this North African country. displaced persons. The EU donated the Libyan Coast Guard funds to prevent the migrants to enter the Union, despite numerous reports of breaking human rights.
In 2023, the United Nations published a report containing evidence of crime against humanity committed on migrants in Libya, including “overwhelming” evidence of systematic torture and sexual slavery.
The western part of Libya is controlled by the international government of national unity with its registered office in Tripoli. Haftar controls the eastern part of the country, where both western and Russian officials are fighting for influence.
European leaders have a long history of contacts with Libyan dictators, trying to stop illegal migration from Africa, which dates back to the time of the former leader of Muammar Gaddafi, killed during the uprising in 2011.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
