Ukraine Support & EU Finance: Coalition of the Willing leaders met in Kyiv for Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, with President Zelenskyy warning of a $27bn defence budget gap and pushing for earlier disbursement of EU loans and use of frozen Russian assets; Defence Tech Transfer: UK PM Andy Burnham authorised MBDA to declassify British components for Storm Shadow/SCALP, aiming to speed local missile assembly in Ukraine as Russia warns Britain is “participating in this war”; EU Sanctions & Winter Readiness: EU High Representative Kaja Kallas backed tougher Russia sanctions this fall and tighter pressure on the “shadow fleet,” while António Costa said the EU is accelerating the €90bn Ukraine Support Loan rollout for air defence, energy and budgets; Migration Politics: EU Council President Costa said he will “take the pulse” of capitals after Ceuta exposed splits over returns and coordination, ahead of an October summit; Iceland EU Vote: Iceland’s 29 August referendum would restart accession talks (not immediate membership), with the 46-46 split highlighting sovereignty and fisheries concerns; Energy & Arctic Policy: Norway plans to keep Arctic drilling despite EU pressure, as EU gas prices jump on Iran-related sanctions fears; EU Windfall Tax Push: Six EU states urged Ireland to put an EU-wide mechanism for taxing oil windfalls on the Sept. 18-19 finance ministers agenda.