EU Budget Deadlock: German Chancellor Merz is rallying like-minded leaders to cut “hundreds of billions” from the next EU long-term budget, with pressure to shift spending from agriculture toward defence and security and to add conditions tied to democratic standards. EU Migration Politics: European Council President António Costa warns that migration is being “instrumentalized” in Ceuta and the Baltic, calling for a united EU response for border pressure points. Ukraine Support & Defence Industry: Costa tells Kyiv the EU will keep backing Ukraine “as much as necessary,” while a “Coalition of the Willing” meeting highlights deeper institutionalization of Ukraine’s defence production. Hungary Russia Pivot: Hungary formally classifies Russia as a “threat” in a UN-facing document, explicitly backing Ukraine’s sovereignty within internationally recognized borders. Canada–EU Reset: Prime Minister Mark Carney will address the European Parliament and attend the EU State of the Union, as Ottawa seeks closer ties amid a worsening trade rift with the US. Disinformation Enforcement Gap: A report says platforms did not remove many disinformation posts flagged during the 2025 presidential election, despite participation in rapid-response processes. Disaster Response: The EU says it is ready to mobilize help after devastating floods in Nepal and China, with Copernicus activated for mapping and response support. Child Safety Online: A Reuters factbox tracks Europe’s move to curb children’s social media access, alongside new rules in Australia and planned UK action. Energy Cost Politics (UK): Britain faces another rise in the energy price cap, and critics argue ministers can’t shrug off war-driven impacts.