Ukraine–Azerbaijan Energy Security: In Kyiv, Ihor Zhovkva said cooperation on energy infrastructure, security and logistics could help Europe cut Russian gas dependence, citing Azerbaijan’s support to repair Ukraine’s grid after attacks. Nordic Nuclear Deterrence: Norway agreed to join talks on France’s plan to extend nuclear deterrence to Europe, while stressing NATO remains the provider and no peacetime nuclear weapons will be deployed on Norwegian soil. Ukraine EU Accession Finance: Zelenskiy submitted a draft law to ratify an EU loan framework worth €90bn to support Ukraine’s accession and recovery. EU–China Trade Push: The Commission is preparing a tougher stance on China, including supplier-diversification demands and wider use of the foreign subsidies and safeguard tools. EU Packaging Rules: The PPWR enters into force in August, replacing national patchworks and raising compliance costs via new recycling and control requirements. Spain Telecom Sovereignty: Spain wants member states to keep the final say on whether foreign telecom providers can access critical networks. UK Food Crisis Warning: Britain is “sleepwalking” into a food crisis as heat, inflation and Hormuz-linked fuel and fertiliser risks bite. Social Media Hate Speech: EU appeals body reports rising complaints and frequent platform non-cooperation in hate-speech and account-suspension disputes.