Day two of the EU Leaders summit concluded on Friday. EU solidarity with Russia led the events. But trade issues with the US still lingered in the air. Mariam Zaidi wraps up the summit from Brussels.

For once, UK Prime Minister Theresa May was having a good summit. On Brexit, EU leaders quickly endorsed guidelines on the future relationship with the UK, paving the way for talks to start in earnest. They also gave formal approval to the transition deal that would also aid businesses to adapt to. The UK will leave the EU next year in March and negotiators want a deal in place at the end of 2018. But May's big gains when the EU council responded to the nerve gas attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain.

THERESA MAY UK PRIME MINISTER "I welcomed the agreement last night from the EU council that they agreed the UK government assessment that it is very likely that Russia was responsible for the attempted murder on the streets of Salisbury and that there was no possible alternative explanation."

LEO VARADKAR IRISH PRIME MINISTER "We agreed as European Union to express full solidarity with the UK to agree with their assessment of who was behind the Salisbury attack. And also to recall the EU ambassador to Russia to Brussels for consultations."

The European Union will also expel the Russian Ambassador to the EU. And individual member states will decide their next steps for punitive action against Russia in the coming days. Russia reacted and accused the UK of leading an "anti-Russian campaign". But also during the summit, news of a terrorist attack underway in Southern France. A gunman had taken hostages in a supermarket in the French city of Trebes. He was later killed and two others lost their lives.

EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "The kill shot was given. Of course I was in constant communication about this attack with the Prime Minister and Interior Minister. But it's the people on the ground who take the responsibility as they are in charge of the situation. And it is the way it needs to be done."

MARIAM ZAIDI BRUSSELS "A final word perhaps on trade. For now at least, the EU has side-stepped over a trade war with a temporary exemption from punitive U.S. tariffs on imported steel and aluminium. But they want certainty that Donald Trump won't change tact. They want a permanent exemption. Without it, the bloc stands ready to counter-punch. So this particular chapter in transatlantic relations, remains open, for now. Mariam Zaidi, CGTN Brussels."