EU leaders head into summit divided over seven-year budget; draft conclusions regret US move on Russian diesel

EU leaders gather in Brussels on Thursday and Friday for a summit expected to pit frugal states, which want deeper cuts to a proposed 141-billion-euro reduction in the bloc's next long-term budget, against 17 cohesion countries saying the cuts already go too far; Council president António Costa wants a deal by year-end. On energy, Italy and Greece are pushing for fiscal flexibility to cushion prices as gas trades near its highest since 2022, while six states' call for a windfall tax on energy firms has failed to gain support ahead of the summit. Draft conclusions seen before the summit add a line regretting Washington's decision to let Russian diesel sales resume until April 2027.

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