Exactly four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, commemorative events for the victims of the war are being held in Ukraine and other countries across the world. Commentators reflect on these four years of death, destruction, hardship and suffering in Ukraine, and on how the war could end.
On the day before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has vetoed tougher sanctions against Russia at the EU foreign ministers' meeting. Together with Slovakia it accuses Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba pipeline. The 20th package of sanctions, which is now on hold, is directed against Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers and energy revenues. A loan already approved by the EU summit is also in limbo.
Moscow's Gulag History Museum, which was initially closed in November 2024 due to alleged fire safety violations, will now be given a new thematic orientation. According to the newly appointed museum director it will be converted into a "memorial museum for the victims of the genocide of the Soviet people" and document Nazi war crimes during WWII.
After five postponements, the Romanian Constitutional Court finally approved the planned reform of pensions for judges and prosecutors last week. The current system provides for pensions of up to 5,000 euros per month and retirement from the age of 48. The implementation of the reform is a condition for the disbursement of EU funds.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on the basis of an emergency law are illegal. Following the decision Trump, invoking a trade law, issued a decree imposing new tariffs of 10 percent and then announced an increase to 15 percent. These tariffs can remain in place for a maximum of 150 days and can only be extended with the approval of Congress.
Prime Minister Rob Jetten's new government has been sworn in in the Netherlands today after his left-liberal party, D66, won a narrow victory against the right-wing populist PVV in elections last October. Following lengthy negotiations, D66 and the centre-right parties VDD and CDA have agreed to form a minority government. The national press examines the chances of this coalition being able to pursue constructive policies.
The southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline, which until recently supplied Slovakia and Hungary with Russian oil, has been damaged since the end of January. According to reports from Kyiv, the installation on Ukrainian territory was targeted by Russian attacks. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused the Ukrainian government of deliberately delaying deliveries. For its part Hungary is again threatening to veto aid that has already been approved to Ukraine.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of British King Charles III, was taken into custody and questioned by police for about 12 hours on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He is accused of passing confidential documents to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as UK trade envoy. Sexual offences are not mentioned in the official statement on the arrest of the former prince, who has been implicated in the Epstein scandal.
US President Donald Trump has upped the pressure on Iran to reach an agreement in the dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme. If no solution is found within 10 to 15 days "bad things" will happen, he warned. Iran has announced a "resolute and appropriate" response in the event of an attack. Commentators discuss the consequences of a US attack for the region.
The deputy director of the Spanish National Police resigned on Wednesday after it emerged that he was under investigation for sexual assault after a policewoman under his command filed a complaint. She has accused her superior of sexually assaulting her in April 2025 in an official residence belonging to the Ministry of the Interior. For the national press, the case points to systemic problems in Spain.
With just a month to go before local elections in France, the death of a suspected right-wing extremist student has sent shock waves through the country. According to French prosecutors, Quentin D. was beaten by several attackers and sustained lethal injuries on 12 February in Lyon on the sidelines of a protest against Rima Hassan, MEP of the left-wing LFI. The French government holds the LFI-affiliated militant group Jeune Garde responsible for the attack.
Talks in Geneva between representatives of Ukraine and Russia, attended by the United States, have ended after two days. Russia's chief negotiator, Putin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, described the talks as "difficult, but business-like", while in an interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of progress on military issues. However no concrete results have been announced so far.