Russia–Germany Tensions: Putin rejected Germany’s claim that Moscow was behind a Leipzig/Halle drone attack, while Berlin moved to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and end the lease of the Russian House in Berlin. EU Sanctions & Security: EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said Russia’s hybrid attacks aim to “scare” Europeans, urging stronger support for Ukraine and tougher economic sanctions. EU Trade Rules: The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) starts applying, raising compliance stakes for exporters; the Commission also launched a consultation on cross-border civil and commercial dispute rules. UK Outlook: Britain’s economy is forecast to grow 1.0% in 2026, but firms remain cautious as investment lags and inflation pressures persist. Energy & Markets: Bond sell-offs and oil-price volatility weighed on European sentiment; Germany’s gas storage refills rose to the highest level since late June. Industrial & Defense Deals: Spain signed a contract for K9 artillery components with localized production via Indra; Munich’s defense-tech boom highlights Europe’s rearmament-driven demand. Digital Economy: OpenAI’s ad business hit a $1B annualized run rate as EU digital safety rules tighten for platforms like ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox. Armenia–EU/EAEU Balancing Act: Putin told Pashinyan Armenia must decide on EU membership sooner, warning it could complicate EAEU trade links.