EU leaders gathered in Brussels on Thursday to discuss matters ranging from defence and housing to climate targets, but the agenda is clearly topped by Ukraine. But can Europe turn political agreement into real financial support for Kyiv without crossing legal red lines?

Israeli authorities have rejected 94 percent of aid delivery requests from international relief organisations — leaving €43m worth of critical supplies stranded at border crossings, according to 41 humanitarian groups working in Gaza.

The new EU programme for the military industry contains a little-discussed regulation to override workers’ rights and environmental protection whenever an undefined defence security of supply crisis is declared, warn Left MEPs Marc Botenga and Ozlem Demirel.

EU states are struggling with upcoming border rules that critics say could led to detention-like centres. Under the new regime authorities will have only seven days to screen a prospective asylum seeker.

Today, we kick off an anniversary campaign to convince new supporting members to join EUobserver's mission of providing the information citizens need to safeguard EU democracy.

Russian spies are still active in the EU capital and have a "higher risk appetite" than before the Ukraine war — despite Belgium's efforts to push back against their plots.