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The European Commission has begun preparing a 23rd sanctions package against Russia, with new restrictions possibly presented by the end of 2026. Politico reported this citing sources. The initiative is being pushed by Germany and Poland; at the EU meeting on October 15, plans include discussing strengthening restrictions in the energy sector.
Otabek YusupovIn an episode of The Ring from Budapest, Euronews discusses how Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who won the elections in April, is recalibrating relations with the EU after years of tension under Viktor Orban's government. In May he reached an agreement with Ursula von der Leyen to unblock €16.4 billion, and Hungary lifted its veto on the negotiation clusters for Ukraine's EU accession. Migration and the rights of sexual minorities remain unresolved.
Aziz KarimovThe European Commission plans to create an EU Security Council to coordinate responses to sabotage, cyberattacks and drone incursions. The idea was backed by Ursula von der Leyen; critics doubt its effectiveness without a reform of unanimity.
Otabek YusupovEU leaders gathered at the European Council for a two-day summit on energy prices, the union's seven-year budget, support for Ukraine and deteriorating relations between the US and Europe. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas gave an exclusive interview to Euronews about the summit and Ukraine. Austrian minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger proposed giving candidate countries access to the Single Market as they carry out reforms, and Jordan's investment minister discussed cooperation with Brussels beyond the EU's commitment to provide around €3 billion.
Otabek YusupovEU leaders gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit. The agenda includes rising energy prices amid the Middle East conflict, the trade imbalance with China and contentious negotiations on the 2028–2034 budget. Kaja Kallas called the US-Russia diesel deal a 'gift to Putin', Zelensky spoke of a feeling of 'betrayal' by Trump, and the FT reported a rejected American plan for frozen Russian assets.
Otabek YusupovIn her State of the Union address, Ursula von der Leyen proposed creating a European Security Council with an emergency response protocol. Experts view the initiative as a step toward coordination against Russia's hybrid threats, but note that the body would not make decisions and the key obstacles are political.
Aziz KarimovEU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated in an interview with Euronews that Brussels must strengthen support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a turbulent week during which US President Donald Trump suggested Kyiv needs a new leader. Kallas also described Trump's deal regarding Russian diesel fuel as a 'gift to Putin' and defended Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Otabek YusupovJordan's Investment Minister Tareq Abu Ghazala said the country has demonstrated to investors a 'resilient economy' and is becoming a 'safe gateway' for neighboring countries. Amman seeks to turn its €3 billion partnership with the European Union into a major economic opportunity, attracting European investment in energy, infrastructure, technology and logistics.
Nilufar KarimovaAustrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger called EU enlargement the bloc's 'most powerful geostrategic instrument' and proposed giving Western Balkan countries access to the single market as they carry out reforms, without waiting for full membership.
Otabek YusupovAt the EU summit, Bulgarian leader Rumen Radev backed the deal on Russian diesel supplies agreed by Trump and Putin despite Western sanctions, citing high fuel prices in Europe. Other EU leaders condemned the agreement: Kaja Kallas called it a "gift for Putin," and Ulf Kristersson — a step in the wrong direction. Radev also criticized Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries.
Otabek YusupovAt the EU summits in Brussels on 15 October, leaders failed to advance negotiations on the seven-year budget: European Council President António Costa took the talks into his own hands and will present a compromise text in the coming weeks, ahead of a special summit on 26 November. Energy became the most contentious issue: Italy and the Visegrad Group are demanding a delay of ETS2 until 2030. Trade with China and the situation around Ukraine were also discussed. At the EU summit in Brussels on October 15, leaders failed to advance negotiations on the seven-year budget: European Council President António Costa took the talks upon himself and will present a compromise text in the coming weeks ahead of a special summit on November 26. Energy became the most contentious topic: Italy and the Visegrad Group are demanding that ETS2 be postponed until 2030. Trade with China and the situation around Ukraine were also discussed.
Aziz KarimovAccording to EU-OSHA, 45% of EU workers face mental health risks, and 44% report work overload. According to an ETUI estimate, work-related depression costs the EU more than €100 billion a year. Experts cite reluctance to discuss the problem openly as the main obstacle and propose assessing psychosocial risks the same way as physical ones. The Healthy Workplaces campaign has been launched.
Aziz KarimovLithuania announced that it has frozen the assets of Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov under national sanctions. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys announced this on X, stating that sanctions pressure on Russia and those who contribute to its war must be strengthened and maintained. He also called the removal of the two Russian oligarchs from the EU sanctions list an «incorrect signal». At the end of September, EU member state ambassadors agreed to remove Fridman and Usmanov from the sanctions lists, while the EU extended sanctions against 3,000 companies and individuals for three years — the first such three-year extension, as previously the sanctions had to be renewed every six months. France and Slovakia had requested the removal of sanctions from Usmanov, and Luxembourg from Fridman.
Aziz KarimovCroatia has sent EU governments a document with eight conditions for Montenegro, including compensation for the Morinj camp detainees, the fate of 14 missing persons, property disputes, the return of the sailing ship Jadran and border settlement. Zagreb is blocking four negotiation chapters, although Montenegro has already closed 21 of 33 and is considered the frontrunner for EU accession by 2028.
Aziz KarimovEU leaders gathered for a two-day summit in Brussels. The agenda includes gas prices at their highest since the winter of 2022, a dispute over cutting the seven-year budget by €141 billion, trade relations with China, EU enlargement and support for Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky will join the leaders on Friday; the draft of the final statements includes regret over Trump's decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel.
Otabek YusupovEU officials say they have seen no signs that the US has stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, while examining reports of a slowdown in Starlink's operation. The EC highlighted the Govsatcom system and negotiations to connect Ukraine to it, with commercial satellite capacities to cover needs until 2029, when the Iris-2 constellation of over 300 satellites becomes operational. Kremlin spokesman Peskov said the information remains fragmented, while Trump stated intelligence sharing had not been halted.
Aziz KarimovLatvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated that Latvia cannot fully ban the transit of Russian grain, as the EU holds exclusive powers over tariffs and transit. Riga also cannot raise railway infrastructure fees by 300%. Latvia has contractual obligations to transport 300,000 tonnes of Russian grain, which is not under sanctions and belongs to Latvia's strategic partners — the USA, Switzerland and Japan. A transit ban could expose Latvia to lawsuits of 200–800 million euros. Kulbergs will raise the issue in Brussels.
Otabek YusupovThe European Commission has proposed moving the deadline for fossil fuel importers to demonstrate compliance with the EU's methane emissions rules: the report and compliance confirmation must be submitted by 31 May 2029. Environmental organisations criticised the initiative, and EU leaders will discuss it at a summit in Brussels.
Aziz Karimov
