With its US partnership on the rocks, the EU is looking for new ways to bolster its defence. One option is to involve Turkey, with its strong army and arms industry. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has reportedly suggested that EU member states seek closer cooperation with Erdoğan. Turkey's strong man, for his part, has repeatedly stressed the 'strategic priority' of Turkey joining the EU. Is a major deal in the pipeline?
Donald Trump has issued a presidential order stipulating massive cuts to Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other US international broadcasters. According to media reports, around 1,300 employees have already been placed on administrative leave. Since the Cold War, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has played a key role as an independent voice in autocracies and dictatorships worldwide. Commentators discuss how to respond.
More than 100,000 demonstrators marched against corruption under President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Saturday. Observers talk of this being the biggest popular rally since the fall of Slobodan Milošević 25 years ago. The months-long unrest was triggered by the fatal collapse of a roof at Novi Sad train station, which has been blamed on shoddy construction and cronyism. Europe's press chimes in.
In the early spring of 2020, Europe became a hotspot of the Covid-19 pandemic that first broke out in China. Most countries responded with restrictions that brought massive changes to people's everyday lives. Commentators in Europe's press recall how Covid - and the countermeasures - changed life and society with effects that are still being felt to this day.
Russia has agreed in principle to the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. "The idea itself is correct and we certainly support it, but there are issues that we need to discuss," Putin said, stressing the need to "eliminate the original causes of the crisis". He added that the continued presence of the Ukrainian army in the Kursk region was a key obstacle.
The EU Commission has reacted swiftly to US tariffs of 25 percent on imports of steel and aluminium from Europe and announced plans to impose tariffs on 26 billion euros worth of US imports, including bourbon whiskey, jeans, motorbikes, boats and peanut butter, as of 1 April. In reaction to the announcement, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200 percent on wine and champagne from the EU.
As Russia's war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, all eyes are on how it will react to the joint peace proposal presented by Washington and Kyiv. A high-level US delegation is heading to Moscow to negotiate a deal this week. Meanwhile, on Wednesday Putin visited the front in Kursk, where Russian troops are reclaiming territory occupied by Ukraine. Europe's press takes stock of the situation.
Greenland is on track for a change of government: the opposition centre-right Demokraatit party came first in the parliamentary elections with 30 percent of the vote and is now likely to lead a coalition government. The Naleraq Party, which is pushing for independence as soon as possible, made significant gains, securing 24.5 percent. The parties of the left-wing coalition which is currently in power trailed behind in third and fourth place.
The conservative minority government in Portugal has collapsed after a motion of confidence put forward by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro failed to secure the required majority. New elections are now likely to be held in May. Montenegro is accused of conflicts of interest in connection with a consultancy firm owned by his family. Commentators offer different perspectives on the crisis.
France's nuclear umbrella for Europe, a "coalition of the willing" led by France and the UK, a series of summits on the global situation in Paris - with his bold proposals and inclusive diplomacy, French President Emmanuel Macron seems intent on becoming the driving force in Europe. Commentators examine what this could mean for the continent.
After Donald Trump's election victory euphoria reigned on Wall Street, but now share prices are tumbling. The value of the companies listed on the S&P 500 US stock market index has shrunk by four trillion dollars since mid-February. The media take a look at what's behind the turmoil in the US's big tech-dominated economy.
In Serbia, the student protests against Aleksandar Vučić's government are gaining force - as is the state's reaction: police have used batons against students blocking access to television broadcasters in Belgrade and Novi Sad. Up to now the wave of protests that began in November has been mostly peaceful. Commentators assess the political situation in light of this escalation.