At a Ukraine summit on Monday in Paris, the leaders of seven EU countries as well as the UK, the EU and Nato had hoped to agree on a common European position on ending the Ukraine war ahead of the Russia-US meeting in Riyadh. Since then, discussions have focused on the question of deploying European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. Commentators examine the stance of individual countries and Europe as a whole.
Faced with the potential threat from Russia and decreased support from the US, Europe is once again discussing boosting its defence spending. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed softening the EU debt rules for this purpose and Denmark has announced that it will increase its defence spending to more than three percent of its GDP. Most commentators welcome the initiative.
At a meeting of their foreign ministers in the Saudi capital Riyadh, the US and Russia have agreed on initial steps in the direction of a rapprochement, with the resumption of ambassadorial relations and preparations for a summit meeting between presidents Trump and Putin. Negotiators are to seek ways to end to the war in Ukraine and increase economic cooperation. Europe's press analyses the signals.
Looking back at the 61st Munich Security Conference, European media are homing in on the speech given by JD Vance. In it the US Vice President said that the greatest danger for Europe comes not from Russia or China but from within, accusing Europe of turning its back on its most fundamental values. What is happening with the transatlantic relationship?
Beyond hectic discussions about the disruptive measures announced almost daily by the Trump administration, European media take stock of the potential far-reaching, longer-term transformations that have taken place since the change of government in the US. Commentators speculate on how the country and society will develop during Trump's second term as president.
Sunday marked the first anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death. The best-known and probably most scathing opponent of Vladimir Putin's regime died suddenly under unclear circumstances after surviving a poison attack and three years of extremely harsh conditions in a remote Arctic penal colony. The media lament the loss of the Russian opposition's figurehead.
US President Donald Trump has demanded valuable raw materials in exchange for further military and financial support for Ukraine. A similar proposal was already part of the "Victory Plan" presented by Volodymyr Zelensky last September, but the Ukrainian president has now explained that the deal can only work if his country receives genuine security guarantees.
A man drove his car into the crowd at a demonstration organised by the German trade union ver.di in Munich on Thursday, injuring at least thirty people. The suspect, a 24-year-old Afghan who has both residence and work permits, has been arrested. Commentators voice concern about the situation in Germany ahead of the federal elections and discuss causes.
The new US defence secretary Pete Hegseth did not mince words at the Nato meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. He ruled out both Ukraine's accession in the near future and the deployment of US troops to secure a ceasefire. He also called on Europe to assume more responsibility for its own security through various measures. Commentators see a clear break with the past.
US President Trump has had a phone call with Russian leader Putin. In Trump's words, they agreed that peace talks to end the war in Ukraine would happen 'immediately'. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed Moscow's willingness to negotiate. Trump then spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky - a 'good and detailed discussion', the Ukrainian president later commented. Europe's press questions whether Kyiv and Europe will have enough say in the outcome.
Coalition negotiations between Austria's ÖVP and FPÖ parties have failed, with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl citing a dispute over the distribution of ministerial posts as the main reason. This comes after coalition talks between the SPÖ, ÖVP and Neos parties were also unsuccessful. Commentators analyse the causes and anticipate what will come next.