EU-China Trade: EU leaders agreed to beef up trade defences against a widening Chinese export surge, tasking the Commission to expand its “toolbox” while keeping “constructive dialogue” with Beijing. EU Sanctions & Energy: The EU will extend Russia sectoral sanctions for 12 months and clarify that EU firms are banned from marketing Russian LNG in third countries from 2027. Ukraine Accession: EU leaders welcomed the opening of Ukraine’s first accession negotiation cluster and backed launching the rest “as soon as possible,” with Zelensky pushing for fast-track membership. Russia Talks Row: Reports say EU officials have quietly reopened communication with Moscow, while leaders also debated who should lead any future Russia peace channel. Israel-EU Rift: Israel’s foreign minister says he is severing all contact with EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas over alleged “apartheid” remarks. Consumer Rights: New EU rules require carry-on baggage to be priced in the ticket and children under 14 to be seated next to parents at no extra charge. Migration Politics: EU lawmakers backed stricter deportation and “return hub” measures, sparking fresh controversy in Brussels. EU Budget Fight: Leaders began the next phase of talks on the €2 trillion long-term budget, with “frugal” states pushing cuts and others warning agriculture and cohesion could be squeezed.