EU sanctions & Ukraine fallout: Zelenskyy called the EU’s move to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman a mistake, while Reuters reports growing anger in EU capitals over “sanctions fatigue” and claims France leveraged the decision after Azerbaijan pardoned a French citizen. Armenia-EU diplomacy: UNGA meetings in New York saw Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan talk with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on continued EU support for Armenia’s reforms and economic diversification, alongside separate talks with Iran’s Pezeshkian and Greece’s Mitsotakis. Black Sea security push: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova says Sofia is preparing an international UN-backed initiative to secure freedom and safety of navigation in the Black Sea. Albania accession roadmap: The European Commission is set to endorse a plan for Albania to close EU accession talks by end-2027, shifting from “no dates” to formal roadmaps. Middle East & energy pressure: Yemen’s government forces repelled Houthi attacks on the Taiz-Aden supply route; EU leaders also face rising fuel-cost pressure tied to the Iran conflict. Hybrid warfare warning: Romania’s President Nicusor Dan warned the Russian threat now targets Europe via cyberattacks, disinformation and sabotage. EU migration governance: EU home affairs ministers will discuss whether Frontex should monitor social media for early warnings after the Ceuta crossings.