Thursday, June 26th
LEAD STORY – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
EU leaders clash over sanctions and trade amid Middle East tensions
At a European Council summit in Brussels, member states debated the EU’s 18th sanctions package on Russia, U.S. tariff threats, and responses to Gaza. Slovakia blocked the sanctions over energy fears, Spain called the Gaza situation “genocide” and urged suspension of the EU–Israel trade pact, while Ukraine’s Zelenskyy joined remotely to discuss EU accession.
Why it matters: The summit highlights deep fractures within Europe—balancing solidarity with Ukraine, energy security, and pressure from the U.S.