The European Commission will allow more energy-intensive industries to receive compensation to offset the costs of meeting EU emissions rules, it said on Tuesday, as it seeks to prevent companies from relocating operations outside the bloc.

An agreement between European Parliament and the European Council said cases would be cut if countries lack 'relevant circumstances, such as indiscriminate violence in the context of an armed conflict.

European Union leaders are gathering this week at the end of political year dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump

The European Union will introduce stricter rules for imports of plastics, the European Commission said on Tuesday, as it attempts to help European recycling plants that are struggling to compete with cheaper imports.

After almost four years of war, the International Monetary Fund estimates that Ukraine will need $161 billion in 2026 and 2027. The government in Kyiv is on the verge of bankruptcy, and desperately needs the money by spring.

The European Commission has proposed that the leaders use some of the frozen assets — totaling 210 billion euros ($246 billion) — to underwrite a 90 billion-euro ($105 billion) “reparations loan” to Ukraine. The U.K., Canada and Norway would fill the gap.

European Union leaders will try to overcome staunch resistance to both a funding plan for Ukraine and a massive trade deal with South America during a summit in Brussels starting Thursday — insisting that the bloc’s reputation is on the line.

Despite Brexit, the EU remains the UK’s largest trading partner, accounting for more than 40 per cent of exports and more than half of imports, but trade with the bloc has dropped in several sectors since the TCA came into force in January 2021.

Former EU commissioner Thierry Breton criticised a US decision to deny him a visa, calling it a “witch hunt” in a post on social media.

Moscow governments in Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia, the EU had to include an ‘opt-out’ clause for its support for Ukraine.

The European Commission says the European Union is delaying a massive free-trade deal with South American countries after fiery protests by farmers and last-minute opposition by France and Italy.