Donald Trump has cancelled plans to meet with Vladimir Putin, saying that although he has good conversations with the Russian president they don't go anywhere. The US has also upped the pressure on Russia and imposed new sanctions that affect Russia's two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, for the first time since Trump's second presidency began. What does Europe's press have to say about the summit's cancellation?
Romania's Constitutional Court on Monday rejected a law that would have abolished major pension privileges for judges and public prosecutors. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan had made his staying in office contingent on the reform going through, but since the rejection was not in principle but on technical grounds he has said he will present a new version of the law instead. The government needs to act quickly as judicial reform is a requirement for Romania to access EU funds.
This year's Sakharov Prize awarded by the European Parliament has gone to Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, two journalists imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, respectively. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said their courageous work makes them symbols of peace and democracy and called for their release. Commentators praise the jury's decision.
Eighteen months after the assassination attempt on Robert Fico, a court has found the defendant guilty of shooting and seriously injuring the Slovak prime minister in May 2024, and sentenced him to 21 years in prison for terrorism. The 72-year-old pensioner confessed to the shooting and cited hatred of Fico and his government's policies as his motive. What conclusions can be drawn from the case?
Nicolas Sarkozy has been in prison since Tuesday. The former French president was convicted in September on charges of criminal conspiracy in a trial over illegal campaign financing. A court ruled that the 70-year-old had to begin serving his five-year prison sentence despite his having lodged an appeal. Europe's press highlights the social dimensions of this French case without precedent.
The Greek Parliament last week passed a new labour law which allows 13-hour workdays in certain cases. The extra-long shifts are permitted on no more than 37 days per year and per employee. The legislation has provoked large protests in several cities across Greece. The national press examines the motives behind the initiative.
Japan has its first female prime minister: Sanae Takaichi, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who is seen as a staunch conservative and nationalist, received a clear majority of votes in the lower house of the country's parliament on Tuesday. Takaichi (64) wants to form a government with the right-wing opposition party JIP. Commentators discuss what changes lie ahead for the country.
Donald Trump wants a summit with Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Although US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the idea on the phone on Monday, it is not clear whether the two will meet in person for a preparatory meeting. According to CNN their positions are too far apart, and Moscow has refused to confirm that such a meeting has been agreed on. Europe's press looks at what a summit in Hungary could achieve - provided it takes place.
Several priceless pieces of jewellery were stolen from the Louvre in Paris on Sunday. The thieves, who have yet to be identified, broke into the museum using a truck with a vehicle-mounted ladder and stole several pieces of jewellery belonging to the Napoleon collection in a matter of minutes. For commentators, the robbery says a lot about the state of France.
Northern Cyprus is poised for a change of government: in presidential elections on Sunday, Tufan Erhürman, an opposition politician belonging to the social democratic Republican Turkish Party (CTP), won a clear victory against the current president of the unrecognised republic, Ersin Tatar, who is close to Turkish President Erdoğan. Erhürman wants a rapprochement with the EU and a resumption of negotiations over the Cyprus issue.
Volodymyr Zelensky visited Donald Trump at the White House on Friday – and did not receive confirmation of the delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles previously signalled by the US. The US President had agreed to a US-Russia summit in Budapest in a phone conversation with Putin on Thursday. Media discuss what Trump's latest U-turn means.
Israel and Hamas are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire which began on October 10. Both sides have reported attacks and deaths. The Israeli military announced on Sunday evening that it would cease its strikes but warned that there would be a vigorous response to further violations. While some commentators are pessimistic, others see a silver lining to the weekend's fighting.