EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss defence, Ukraine aid, Russian assets, competitiveness, and climate goals. Also this week, ministers meet to discuss Russian sanctions and energy, while MEPs debate the Middle East, Belarus, and announce the Sakharov Prize.

Slovakia has declined to lift its veto on more Russia sanctions ahead of this week's EU summit — amid fresh concern over the US vision for Ukraine.

Google fine for violating the EU’s anti-trust laws welcomed by many MEPs, but one warned that the EU Commission's “hands seem to shake when it comes to implementing the law.”

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.