European Union leaders meeting at a summit in Brussels have agreed to extend economic sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine for a further twelve months — the first time the measures have been renewed on an annual rather than a six-monthly basis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the opening of the summit, called on EU member states to provide a new "winter aid package" including gas, diesel, and energy equipment, as well as additional weapons, arguing that supporting Ukraine serves the broader interests of the entire continent. The summit was also marked by friction over an initiative by European Council President António Costa, who had his staff make contact with the Kremlin — reportedly to prepare for potential future negotiations — a move the German government reportedly criticised as uncoordinated and unprofessional, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz clarifying that Costa represents the EU but is not its chief negotiator.