The US is upping the pressure on Russia's oil industry: Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on its two top companies Rosneft and Lukoil and their numerous subsidiaries. According to the US Treasury Department, not only US companies but also foreign banks and business partners will now be prohibited from doing business with them. The media discuss whether this could force Putin to back down on Ukraine.

Negotiations among European leaders on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine have produced a minimum compromise. The EU Commission has been instructed to examine the options and draw up a corresponding legal proposal after Belgium, which had expressed doubts about the legality of accessing the funds, indicated it would no longer stand in the way. An important first step or unnecessary caution?

The EU's climate policy is under pressure: several member states are opposing the bid to set specific climate targets for 2035 and 2040. As a result, the bloc failed to reach a deal at yesterday's summit. In the run-up to the meeting, no less than 79 industrial companies had lobbied against emissions certificates, which they argued were too expensive. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 academics have warned that scientific findings must not be ignored in the debate.

Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III of England prayed together for the care of creation in the Sistine Chapel in Rome on Thursday. The service, which was held in Latin and English, is the first joint service between the heads of the Catholic and Anglican churches since the English Reformation 500 years ago when England broke with Rome under King Henry VIII.

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.