Belgium needs to let Europe use immobilised Russian funds to buy arms for Ukraine before Kyiv runs out of ammunition in spring, defence chiefs have said.

Before being detained by Belgian police in Brussels earlier this week on suspicion of fraud, Stefano Sannino, the European Commission’s top envoy for Middle Eastern affairs, was busy extolling what he called shared “values, principles, and partnerships.”

Three EU Commission decisions next week will determine the future of Europe’s auto industry. Either companies will be set up to lead the EV transition – or Europe will lose the global race, argues Climate Group’s Dominic Phinn. 

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.