NGOs and trade unions want to draw attention to what they call a "deregulation wave" in the EU. They have been marching from Maastricht (the Netherlands) to Brussels for the last three days, claiming that the commission is putting the environment as well as social and labour rights at risk by prioritising competitiveness.

On Friday, a pivotal meeting will take place as ministers of defence from seven eastern EU member states plus Ukraine and the EU Commission for talks on building a 'drone wall'. Initially, Slovakia and Hungary were not invited — a reflection of the risk their participation could pose to a frank discussion about the Russian threat and Europe's plans to defend itself.

Russian tourists will be able to keep coming to the EU despite a new sanctions crackdown on the sector, diplomats have said.

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.