Farmers take Brussels to protest Mercosur deal and EU rules

A French court has sentenced Carole Sun, a 30-year-old woman repatriated from Syrian camps holding Islamic State members, to 10 years in prison for terrorist conspiracy. Sun left France for Syria in 2014 and was arrested by Kurdish forces in 2017 as the Islamic State was collapsing. This case highlights the ongoing legal and societal challenges faced by individuals returning from conflict zones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning regarding the dire situation on the battlefield if European leaders do not approve the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The EU is currently deliberating on a $105 billion loan to sustain Kyiv's military efforts amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

Farmers protesting against the EU-Mercosur trade deal clashed with police in Brussels, where they drove tractors into the city and faced tear gas as tensions escalated during an EU leaders' summit. The protests were fueled by fears that the trade deal would allow cheaper agricultural imports from Brazil, threatening local livelihoods.

Discussions at the EU summit in Brussels are focused on the potential use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, with Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko emphasizing the significance of this decision for Europe's leadership role. She stated that the outcome of the evening could reveal whether Europe can act decisively or if fear of Russia will prevail.

The signing of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement has been postponed to January, as announced by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen during a summit in Brussels. This decision follows demands from Italy and France for a delay, primarily to seek additional protections for their farming sectors, disrupting the European Commission's plans to finalize the deal this week.

European Union leaders are convening in Brussels to discuss the potential use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's urgent financial needs, as the country faces a significant cash shortfall amid ongoing conflict. This summit is being described as one of the most crucial since the 2008 financial crisis, with decisions expected to impact Ukraine's stability and future.

The signing of the EU-Mercosur trade pact has been postponed, as announced by Ursula von der Leyen to EU leaders. This delay comes amid rising tensions and protests, particularly from French farmers who are concerned about the implications of the deal on local agriculture.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine may need to reduce its drone production if a deal is not reached regarding the use of frozen Russian assets to support its war efforts. He emphasized the moral clarity of transferring these assets to fund Ukraine's military needs during a critical EU summit in Brussels.