The European Union received €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) in windfall profits generated from interest on immobilized Russian Central Bank assets held in EU depositories, with the funds earmarked for Ukraine's defense and reconstruction. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused.
For the first time, Brussels granted Ukraine an exemption from EU defense loan procurement rules, permitting Chinese-made drone components to be purchased under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan because European suppliers cannot produce them in sufficient quantities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to limit young children's access to social media across the EU's 27 member states, following recommendations from an expert panel that called for restricting access for those under 13 until tech companies prove their platforms are safe.
At an EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, European leaders unveiled a Franco-German proposal for gradual integration of candidate countries, with Commission President von der Leyen stating Montenegro is on track for membership by 2028. The initiative aims to accelerate the accession process for six Western Balkan nations amid ongoing debates over EU enlargement.
Sweden has accused Russia of being behind a surge in GPS jamming incidents over the Baltic Sea, following a September incident where a plane carrying EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was forced to land in Bulgaria using paper maps after its navigation systems were jammed.
