The leaders of around thirty countries convened in Paris on Thursday to discuss further support for Ukraine. Although there was no consensus on the deployment of peacekeeping troops to secure a potential ceasefire, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a Franco-British mission was being put together and emissaries from both countries would be travelling to Ukraine in the next few days to discuss the plans. What can this achieve?
Shortly before the change of government in the US, Washington had promised Bucharest visa-free travel for Romanians. Now the Department of Homeland Security has announced that instead of coming into force at the end of March as planned, the exemption will be postponed indefinitely. It wants to reassess whether the country fulfils the security standards for the visa waiver programme, the Department said. The national press sees other reasons for the decision.
Citing the need to better protect themselves against the growing threat posed by Russia and Belarus, Poland and the Baltic states have jointly declared their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty which bans the use of anti-personnel mines. Finland is also considering withdrawal. Between outrage and understanding, commentators also cast about for a middle way that minimises the risks to civilians.
The Israeli military has stepped up its attacks in Gaza since the ceasefire ended. According to the Hamas-controlled authorities more than 800 people have been killed there in the last ten days. In Israel, tens of thousands have taken to the streets to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, while in the Gaza Strip several hundred have protested against Hamas. This conflict must not be forgotten, warns Europe's press.
Instead of using specially secured channels, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz shared confidential information in a Signal chat group to which Washington-based journalist Jeffrey Goldberg had also been added. Among other things, the conversation revealed details of the schedule and targets for the airstrike against the Yemeni Houthi militia on 15 March. Commentators examine the various aspects of the fiasco.
Russia and Ukraine are reportedly ready to agree a temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea and with regard to energy infrastructure. The US announced that under the deal the two sides will refrain from attacks on ships and that Washington would comply with Russia's precondition that sanctions on grain and fertiliser exports be eased. Many details remain unclear, commentators emphasise.
Trump is negotiating with Putin on the war in Ukraine and Nato is in an existential crisis as a result of current US policy. The new situation has triggered a lively discussion about rearmament, joint defence and continued support for Kyiv. Europe's media examine the fundamental requirements for a new security model and the problems it poses.
New negotiations on a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine have begun in Saudi Arabia, which are being conducted in a form of shuttle diplomacy: negotiators from Ukraine and the US met first, with a meeting of Russian and US representatives planned next. The talks were constructive and informative, explained Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
London's Heathrow Airport - the busiest in Europe - was brought to a standstill for the whole of Friday due to a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electricity substation. Around 1,300 flights and 200,000 passengers were affected by the shutdown. British commentators draw different conclusions after the blackout.
Despite a ban on public gatherings, thousands protested in Istanbul on Thursday against the arrest of the city's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the revocation of his university degree. They see these moves as an attempt by President Erdoğan to eliminate his most dangerous rival. The opposition CHP has said that it will nonetheless designate İmamoğlu as its 2028 presidential candidate - for which a university degree is a prerequisite - on Sunday.