Blame game
Brussels faced criticism, with officials from Rome and Athens privately indicating the EU team had let them down. Within the EU’s own institutions, some Commission insiders quietly criticized the handling, with suspicion aimed at the European External Action Service.
Those involved were aware of the risks of Haftar setting a trap but decided to try their luck, hoping to resolve issues on the ground if required.
“Brussels and the Europeans know the commissioner and ministers fell into a trap trying to appease Haftar’s migration blackmail,” said a person familiar with the Brussels discussions. “Now the Commission and Italy, which planned the mission at a poor time, face backlash, with others against more concessions to Haftar, a Russian ally.”
On Friday, the Commission stated that Team Europe would try again. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed with leaders from Italy, Greece, and Malta to continue efforts at a Ukraine support summit in Rome on Thursday.
A Commission spokesperson stated that von der Leyen and the leaders agreed “to continue engaging with Libya and pursue the Team Europe approach by resending the Team Europe delegation to Libya.” The intention is to engage with “both sides” in Libya, implying inclusion of Haftar’s east.
The timing of the new mission to Libya and its participants remain unclear.
A major risk is that Russia sees eastern Libya and its migration routes as an opportunity to destabilize the EU. Haftar has had multiple meetings with Russian ministers, receiving support from the Russian military.
“No one knows what to do,” said the person familiar with the discussions. “It’s clear appeasement isn’t working, and Haftar will ask for more, advancing Russian interests in Libya for fewer migrants landing in Crete.”
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