Borrell: I Hope to Determine Who Will Lead the EU Mission in the Red Sea Today

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed hope on Wednesday that a member state to lead the upcoming EU mission to protect ships in the Red Sea would be identified later today. He added that this operation could be launched before mid-February. Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU defense ministers, he stated, "We need to decide which country will take the lead, where the headquarters will be, and what naval assets member states will provide," adding that he hopes to identify the leading entity today. Borrell continued, "Not all member states will be ready to participate, but no one will hinder (the process). I hope the mission will be launched on February 17."