Following the publication of the US government's new National Security Strategy, Europe is struggling to find an appropriate response. The document states that Europe is facing 'civilisational erasure' and that America will assist its political allies in Europe in correcting the current course. Commentators warn against US interference in European domestic politics.
The EU wants to introduce standardised asylum rules for all member states. The bloc's interior ministers have now agreed on a simplified process for rejecting asylum applications and a common list of 'safe countries' to speed up deportations. In addition, there are plans for 'relocations' within the EU and the possibility of setting up 'return hubs' in 'safe third countries'. The press response is divided.
Greek farmers are protesting against high production costs and outstanding subsidy payments. The protests, which turned violent on Monday, are also connected to the OPEKEPE corruption scandal involving EU agricultural subsidies fraud. The press examines the dire state of the agricultural sector and seeks to identify those responsible.
A year has passed since the Islamist HTS militia led by Ahmed al-Sharaa and its allies toppled former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, whose clan had governed the country for 50 years and plunged it into a prolonged civil war. In a speech marking the anniversary of Assad's fall, interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has called on Syrians to unite. Europe's press takes stock.
The EU Commission has slapped a 120-million-euro fine on online service X for its lack of transparency on advertising and user accounts. Elon Musk, the platform's owner, reacted by posting on X: "The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people."
French President Macron has just returned from a 3-day visit to China during which he apparently failed to secure any breakthroughs on key issues such as China's trade surplus and Beijing's stance on Russia. Macron has now threatened with consequences if China refuses to take steps to open up its domestic market. Europe's press examines which country has more leverage.
According to a newspaper report, the European Central Bank (ECB) has refused to back plans to help Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. The bank reportedly declined to guarantee the reparations loan for Ukraine, citing possible violations of EU treaties. Belgium also continues to express doubts about the legal certainty of accessing the assets. Commentators examine the reasons behind this and look at alternatives.
US emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner spent five hours on Monday trying to negotiate a peace deal with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine. But according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, there was agreement only on 'some points' and 'a lot of work lies ahead' for Washington and Moscow. US President Donald Trump said his delegation had been left with the impression that Putin was interested in peace. Commentators examine what this might mean for Europe?
The EU is set to ease its labelling requirements for genetically modified foods. Negotiators from the European Parliament and member states have agreed that products where existing genes have been "modified" but no foreign genes have been inserted will no longer require mandatory labelling. What are the ramifications?
The path is now clear for Andrej Babiš to become the Czech Republic's new head of government. President Petr Pavel has agreed to appoint him prime minister on Tuesday, after the multi-billionaire announced that he is transferring his company Agrofert to an independent trust to resolve the existing conflict of interest. Pavel had made this a precondition for the appointment. The Czech press takes stock.
Federica Mogherini, former EU foreign affairs representative and current head of the College of Europe in Bruges, has been been formally accused of corruption. The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating Mogherini, her deputy and EU official Stefano Sannino over alleged secret agreements relating to an EU-funded degree programme at the elite university. Commentators inquire into the causes and consequences.
The presidents of the four Visegrad states – Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland – met in Esztergom, Hungary, on Wednesday. But Poland's right-wing conservative head of state Karol Nawrocki cancelled a planned meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after Orbán visited Putin in Moscow last week.