Eurotopics.net

At the EU summit in Brussels, a ruse has paved the way for the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine: Hungary's Prime Minister Orbán left the room during the vote so that the necessary unanimous decision could be reached. Another key decision on more billions in aid for Ukraine has been postponed due to Orbán's continued resistance, however. Brussels and Kyiv have nevertheless hailed the day as historic. Most of Europe's press agrees, albeit less euphorically.

The last two times the Kremlin boss cancelled the traditional annual TV show Direct Line, in which he takes questions from citizens and journalists. But on Thursday, the show was aired for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A number of critical questions went unanswered, commentators note.

Austria has softened its stance in the debate on Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen area and proposed allowing a partial accession limited to the area of air traffic, dubbed the "Air Schengen" solution, in exchange for tougher controls on migrants. Romanian and Bulgarian commentators discuss whether such a deal is acceptable.

Parliamentary and local elections will be held in Serbia on Sunday. The broad pro-European multi-party alliance Serbia Against Violence is running against the Progress Party (SNS) of incumbent President Aleksandar Vučić. Following several mass shootings, thousands took to the streets in Belgrade to protest against increased levels of violence in the country. Is a turnaround on the cards?