Blinken And Von Der Leyen Discuss Red Sea Response

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have concluded an "excellent" meeting on the margins on the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

• Von der Leyen said in a statement on social media: "Our support to Ukraine, now and towards its EU future, is unwavering. We discussed the need for stability in the Middle-East, increased humanitarian access to Gaza and preparations for the day after. Moreover we discussed the concerning situation in the Red Sea and our responses."
• The meeting comes as European Union states reportedly approve a naval mission to protect shipping. Reuters reports: "European Union member states have given initial backing to a naval mission to protect ships from attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia in the Red Sea..."
• According to Reuters, "the objective was to establish [the naval mission] by Feb. 19 at the latest and make it operational soon afterwards. Several diplomats said they hoped the process could be fast-tracked given the tensions in the region. It will be discussed by foreign ministers on Jan. 22."
• Politico reported after initial US-UK airstrike on Houthi infrastructure: "So far there have been mixed responses from EU nations, reflecting disagreements within the bloc over the war between Israel and Hamas in besieged Gaza as well as broader tensions with Iran and other regional powers."
• Blinken is also scheduled to meet with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres today.