In view of the increasingly obvious turnaround in US foreign policy under President Trump, old certainties seem to be disappearing and new strategies are needed. In the EU, but elsewhere too, new coalitions and plans of action are emerging. Europe's media debate if and how Europe can reposition itself in today's world.
US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky clashed over Russia's war against Ukraine on live TV at the White House on Friday. Trump and his vice president JD Vance called on Zelensky to show more willingness to make concessions in the search for a peace deal and more gratitude for US support. Zelensky stressed that it was Russia that was violating treaties. Commentators see a historic turning point.
After several failed rounds of negotiations, Austria now has its first three-party governing coalition, which was sworn in on Monday. The Chancellor of the new "black-red-pink" government is the conservative Christian Stocker (ÖVP), its Vice-Chancellor is SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, and the leader of the liberal Neos party, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, has been appointed Foreign Minister. Commentators voice doubts about how long the coalition will last.
The 97th edition of the Academy Awards took place on Sunday in Los Angeles, with Oscars being presented to what were deemed to be the best films, filmmakers and actors of the last year from Hollywood's perspective. Europe's press comments on the atmosphere and the winners – which this time included a moving animated feature from Latvia.
European leaders as well as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened in London on Sunday to discuss further support for Ukraine. It was decided that a "coalition of the willing" led by the UK and France will boost arms supplies to Kyiv. A plan for a ceasefire is also to be drawn up. Most European commentators take a positive view of the meeting.
PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been in prison since 1999, has called for the Kurdish underground organisation he co-founded to lay down its arms and disband. The PKK is considered a terrorist organisation in many countries. Members of the pro-Kurdish DEM party, who have visited Öcalan several times in prison, played a key role in persuading him to make the appeal. What are the chances of settling this decades-long conflict?
"The West" as we knew it no longer seems to exist: the recent vote in the UN Security Council, US Vice President JD Vance's speech in Munich, new tariffs and the revival of Russian-American relations all demonstrate how the US is transforming its foreign policy under President Trump. The media assess the consequences for Europe – and its options for new partners.
Ukraine and the United States may sign a framework agreement on the joint development and export of Ukrainian mineral resources such as oil, gas, uranium, coal and rare earths this Friday. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, who is visiting Washington today, the deal doesn't include US security guarantees. The media weigh up the pros, cons and motives of both sides.
The dispute over the annulled presidential election continues in Romania. Călin Georgescu, the right-wing populist who came first in the cancelled first round, has been detained and questioned. Criminal proceedings launched against him include charges of election campaign irregularities, plans to attack the constitutional order and links to the Wagner Russian mercenary group.
On the second anniversary of the Tempi train crash, a general strike will take place across Greece on Friday. Trade unions, members of the opposition and relatives are demanding justice for the 57 victims and consequences for those responsible. Many see the causes of the accident and the inadequate investigation as a symptom of a corrupt state rendered dysfunctional by austerity measures and privatisation.
Governments across Europe are looking for ways to boost their defence and security spending. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed relaxing the EU's debt rules, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to increase his country's defence budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027. Europe's media question whether Europe's leaders are setting the right priorities for the long term.
The AfD, parts of which Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified as "definitely right-wing extremist", has emerged from the German federal election as the second strongest party, having secured 20.8 percent of the vote. In the states of the former East Germany it even came first. Europe's press analyses the results and seeks reasons for the weakening of the political centre.