The European Union agreed Tuesday to impose broad economic sanctions against Russia, hoping to force Moscow to reverse course in Ukraine.

Exactly 100 years ago Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, triggering a conflict that would soon spread throughout Europe and the world and become known as the Great War. "Remembering this lesson is the best way to honour those who fought and died", EP president Martin Schulz said ahead of the sad anniversary.

President Barroso made the following statement:

"Having been mandated to prepare a package of restrictive measures in the light of Russia's role in destabilising and escalating the situation in Ukraine, the European Commission tabled today a legislative proposal building on the package of targeted measures presented to Member States by the Commission and the EEAS earlier this week.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended deep condolences to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria over the loss of many lives in Algeria's air flight disaster.

The European Commission has just signed two major contracts with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) totalling €14 million to deliver vitally needed food assistance and facilitate the movement of humanitarian cargo in South Sudan. The contribution will help approximately 1.7 million people.

During the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 July in Brussels, the EU Ministers discussed the crisis in Ukraine that has significantly worsened after the tragic crash of the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in Donetsk, the territory which is controlled by separatists, the MFA said.

EU sanctions against Russia must be stepped up, the Ukrainian border closed to halt arms flows from Russia, and the bodies of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash victims returned, MEPs insisted in today's debate with Ukraine's foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin. Mr Klimkin called on the EU to show its solidarity now, as Ukraine is "being punished for its EU aspirations". The debate opened with a minute's silence for victims of the 17 July crash.

On 21 July, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning in the strongest terms the downing of flight MH17 in Ukraine and recognising Ukraine’s efforts to organise an international investigation into the incident.

Russia should back the peace plan offered by Ukraine, respect the ceasefire and withdraw its mercenaries via the retreat corridor, say MEPs in a resolution passed on Thursday. They call the EU countries to ban arms sales to Russia and help Ukraine to secure its gas supply via reverse gas flows. MEPs also state their readiness to ratify the association and free trade deal with Ukraine.

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his concern for the plight of Christian communities in the Iraqi town of Mosul and in other parts of the Middle East.