Eurotopics.net

The Ukrainians will elect a new president on Sunday. Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky is leading the polls, ahead of current president Petro Poroshenko and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. A second round of voting seems likely. Commentators explain the role of the war with Russia in the election and what people see in Zelensky.

Third time lucky? The British House of Commons will vote once again on May's Brexit deal on Friday afternoon. The House speaker has approved a third vote on the grounds that the new draft contains sufficient change because it leaves out any mention of future relations with the EU. In a bid to avoid her deal being rejected a third time Prime Minister May offered to resign if it passes. But it's by no means certain that this strategy will pay off, commentators point out.

The Christchurch attacker apparently visited historic sites of battles between Crusaders and the Ottomans. The manifesto he posted online shortly before the attack also echoes conspiracy theories prevalent in Europe according to which Muslims are seeking to replace the European population. Commentators discuss to what extent Europe bears responsibility for the shootings.

Chemicals giant Bayer is suffering one legal defeat after another in the US over the weedkiller glyphosate produced by its subsidiary Monsanto. The company could end up paying a hefty price, not just as a result of damages running into the millions but also because Bayer share prices have plummeted. How should business managers and governments react?

Former Soviet defence minister Dmitri Yazov has been sentenced to ten years in prison in Lithuania for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court found him guilty for his role in the bloody quashing of demonstrations in Vilnius in January 1991. The 95-year-old was not present at the sentencing. Has justice been done?