Elena Sánchez Nicolás

The paradoxical move to tighten EU import controls on agricultural goods from Ukraine, despite the EU's vocal support for Kyiv, has sparked criticism from Ukrainian farmers. Overall, it is estimated the new measures could cost the Ukrainian economy €330m.

With Europe is falling behind the US and losing ground to China, talks between EU leaders at this week's special European Council will focus mainly on Europe's economic competitiveness in the global arena.

Overlooking the prospects of new countries joining the EU would be a "terrible mistake" for the bloc, but reforms in the coming years are needed to make the process credible for candidate countries, European Council president Charles Michel said in an interview with a select group of journalists in Brussels.

In this second edition of Pollwatch, EUobserver looks into the projected support for different political groups ahead of June's election.

Finland and Estonia want to see more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from smaller member states involved in projects of the EU's Global Gateway strategy and increased investment into the digital infrastructure of partner countries.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has attacked the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party — but her centre-right European People’s Party has refused to sign a joint declaration condemning far-right attacks against politicians across several European countries.

EU top officials and political leaders from around the world will gather for a summit in Copenhagen, while ministers for economy and youth meet in Brussels. Meanwhile, attention will also be on this week's Dutch government coalition negotiations.

Ursula von der Leyen voiced concerns about the rise of manipulation and interference in the EU, proposing a 'European Democracy Shield' if she is re-elected as European Commission president.