Berlin and Budapest engaged in a dispute over sanctions at a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. Germany's Annalena Baerbock clashed with Hungary's Péter Szijjártó regarding the involvement of Hungarian bank OTP in Russia's war in Ukraine. Hungary is refusing to approve further EU military aid for Ukraine until OTP is removed from a "war sponsors" list, causing a delay in new Russia sanctions.

EU defense ministers are set to discuss the bloc's military support for Ukraine in a meeting today. Meanwhile, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson campaigned for Ukraine during a private lunch in Dallas, urging conservative figures to support Kyiv in its conflict with Russia. The US has approved training for Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, potentially leading to the acquisition of F-16 jets by Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed support for US President Joe Biden, hoping for his reelection and emphasizing the importance of preventing Russia's war from escalating further. In a symbolic move, two Russian military groups fighting on Kyiv's side declared that they had entered Russia's Belgorod region, echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin's rhetoric. Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck announced plans for a subsidized electricity price for Germany's heavy industries, particularly steelmakers, to support energy-intensive industries facing international competition. The plan has raised concerns about potential distortions to the single market and unfair advantages for German industries.

The EU has imposed a record €1.2 billion fine on Meta (formerly Facebook) under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), highlighting disagreements among data regulators over the decision. The fine puts pressure on the Biden administration to address the disconnect between American and European data regulations to prevent transatlantic data transfers from being blocked.

The Court of Justice of the EU is hearing an appeal by the European Commission against a previous judgment on Apple's tax arrangements in Ireland. In other news, an additional pension fund for former MEPs facing bankruptcy will be kept alive for a few more years, subject to payout cuts and eligibility age adjustments. A coalition of Bulgarian parties has agreed to form a government led by two rotating prime ministers, including former European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel. Portugal's European Affairs Secretary will host a meeting of EU ministers with an Atlantic coastline, excluding Germany.

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