The second phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin since Trump took office is scheduled for today, Tuesday. The main topic will be the US-Ukrainian proposal for a ceasefire, initially planned to last 30 days. Commentators assess the various elements of a potential agreement and the challenges facing Europe and Ukraine.
With its US partnership on the rocks, the EU is looking for new ways to bolster its defence. One option is to involve Turkey, with its strong army and arms industry. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has reportedly suggested that EU member states seek closer cooperation with Erdoğan. Turkey's strong man, for his part, has repeatedly stressed the 'strategic priority' of Turkey joining the EU. Is a major deal in the pipeline?
Donald Trump has issued a presidential order stipulating massive cuts to Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other US international broadcasters. According to media reports, around 1,300 employees have already been placed on administrative leave. Since the Cold War, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has played a key role as an independent voice in autocracies and dictatorships worldwide. Commentators discuss how to respond.
More than 100,000 demonstrators marched against corruption under President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Saturday. Observers talk of this being the biggest popular rally since the fall of Slobodan Milošević 25 years ago. The months-long unrest was triggered by the fatal collapse of a roof at Novi Sad train station, which has been blamed on shoddy construction and cronyism. Europe's press chimes in.
In the early spring of 2020, Europe became a hotspot of the Covid-19 pandemic that first broke out in China. Most countries responded with restrictions that brought massive changes to people's everyday lives. Commentators in Europe's press recall how Covid - and the countermeasures - changed life and society with effects that are still being felt to this day.