Europe, the US and Russia are each taking different paths as they offer energy financing to African governments, explains Africa correspondent Ben Fox.

EU leaders at their summit in Copenhagen were moving closer towards an agreement that would see billions of euros in frozen Russian assets used as collateral for a massive loan to support Ukraine. “There is a growing consensus amongst us that it shouldn’t just be our taxpayers to pay,” Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.

Pressure is mounting over the safety of the Gaza aid flotilla as it edges closer to the Strip's shore, amid fears of an Israeli interception overnight, and after what organisers call “psychological warfare” from jamming communications and navigation systems.

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.