French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to meet with his European partners to discuss the possibility of extending the French nuclear umbrella to other countries. France and its 'Force de frappe' consisting of around 290 nuclear warheads has been the EU's only nuclear power since the Brexit. Europe's press examines the pros and cons.

International Women's Day will be celebrated on 8 March, with women and men around the world taking to the streets to demonstrate against discrimination, violence and oppression. Europe's press takes stock and identifies a potential backwards trend.

Six people have been arrested in Romania on suspicion of treason and collusion with Russia. The move comes after the Russian military attaché and his deputy were expelled. According to an Italian intelligence service report, Russia orchestrated numerous hybrid attacks aimed at bolstering the far-right former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu. Moscow's foreign intelligence service SVR has now accused the EU leadership of pressuring Romania into bringing charges against Georgescu.

In their exploratory talks, the CDU/CSU alliance and the SPD have agreed to take out hundreds of billions in new loans. A debt brake enshrined in the constitution is to be eased to boost defence spending and the creation of a special fund of 500 billion euros for investments in infrastructure is also planned. In order to achieve the two-thirds parliamentary majority required for amending the constitution, the motions are to be put to vote next week, before the the current parliament expires.

In a speech to Congress on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump set out his goals and policies: "We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplish in four years or eight years - and we are just getting started," Trump declared at the start of his speech. He only briefly touched on Ukraine towards the end of his 100-minute speech. Europe's media draw conclusions.

Portugal seems to be on course for a snap election after Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was accused of having benefited from lucrative consulting contracts concluded through a family firm. In reaction, Montenegro has proposed a confidence vote in parliament, where his PSD government does not have a majority. Commentators are divided over whether new elections are a good idea in the current situation.