The European Union has committed an additional €25 million ($29 million) to migration cooperation in eastern Libya, expanding its engagement with authorities aligned with Russia as Brussels seeks to reduce irregular migration across the Mediterranean.
- The EU has committed an additional €25 million to migration cooperation with eastern Libya, which is under the control of Russia-aligned commander Khalifa Haftar.
- The funding aims to bolster border management, search-and-rescue operations, and anti-smuggling efforts in eastern Libya.
- Brussels maintains that the funding focuses solely on migration management and does not directly involve Russia.
- Libya remains the top departure point for irregular migrants to Europe, making cooperation with both eastern and western Libyan authorities crucial for the EU.
The EU's additional funding will support border management, search-and-rescue operations and efforts to combat migrant smuggling in eastern Libya, a region controlled by military commander Khalifa Haftar, whose forces maintain close ties with Russia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen disclosed the commitment in a letter to EU leaders, seen by Reuters.
The decision follows a rise in migrants attempting dangerous Mediterranean crossings from Libya to Europe, particularly towards Italy and the Greek island of Crete.
According to UNHCR, 19,562 migrants reached Italy by sea between January and August 2026, with 81% departing from Libya.
Separately, migrant monitoring organisation Alarm Phone reported approximately 9,000 arrivals in Crete from Libya during the first six months of the year.
However, the EU's engagement with Haftar's authorities comes despite its formal recognition of only the rival government in Tripoli.
Libya has remained divided since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, with the internationally recognised government based in the west and Haftar's forces controlling much of the east.
EU strengthens migration cooperation with Russia-backed eastern Libya
Russia has been a major military supporter of Haftar, supplying weapons and military assistance during Libya's civil war while maintaining a presence at several airbases, including Al-Khadim, Al-Jufra, Al-Qardabiyah and Brak al-Shati, where it has deployed personnel and equipment.
Despite ongoing tensions between Brussels and Moscow over the war in Ukraine, the EU's latest funding commitment deepens cooperation with Russia-backed authorities in eastern Libya, although there is no indication that Moscow is directly involved in the migration arrangement.
The commitment builds on earlier cooperation, including the EU's July 2026 plan to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi, with funding from Italy and Malta.
Libya remains a major migration route into Europe
Libya's position as a major departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe has prompted Brussels to strengthen cooperation with authorities on both sides of the divided country.
"Libya remains the top country of departure for illegal crossings to the EU," von der Leyen wrote, describing an upcoming EU-Libya meeting as an opportunity to maintain cooperation.
For years, the EU and its member states have supported Libya's coastguard through training and equipment, although human rights organisations have criticised the treatment of migrants intercepted at sea.
Beyond border controls, Brussels is working with the International Organization for Migration to support voluntary returns from Libya to migrants' countries of origin, von der Leyen said.
"We are equally focused on reducing the number of migrants arriving to Libya with the sole intention to cross illegally into the EU," she added.