Ukraine Energy Support: NB8 (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden) pledges at least €918m in 2026 for Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter, pairing short-term repairs with longer-term resilience and EU market integration. EU Migration Policy: Denmark, Germany, Austria, Greece and the Netherlands push a model for “return hubs” outside the EU for rejected asylum seekers, targeting first transfers in 2027; Italy’s Albania centres are cited as the template. EU Sanctions & War Crimes: The EU drafts new sanctions targeting Russia’s alleged abducted Ukrainian children program, including a North Korean-run camp used for transfers. EU Border Rules: New EU entry/exit procedures mean travellers may need to arrive earlier, with biometric checks driving longer queues and potential missed-flight risk. Russia-Ukraine Security: EU foreign ministers again fail to agree unanimously on new Russia sanctions for the Ukraine war anniversary, with Hungary’s veto blamed. EU-Ukraine Air Defence: The Commission reviews Kyiv’s request to use a €90bn support loan for PAC-3 Patriot interceptors as interceptor shortages bite amid renewed strikes. Serbia EU Friction: Enlargement chief Marta Kos cancels a Serbia visit over “glorification” of Ratko Mladić after his burial. Arctic Strategy: Von der Leyen heads to Greenland to deepen EU ties and Arctic cooperation as Brussels revises its High North approach. UN “Correct the Map”: The UN backs an African-led shift toward equal-area mapping (Equal Earth), making Africa larger and Europe/North America smaller—sparking US pushback. Estonia Defence Fallout: Estonia’s defence minister resigns over a €70m ammunition procurement controversy tied to an Italy-registered firm.