Eurotopics.net

Pope Francis has said he is praying for new negotiations on a ceasefire in Ukraine. He is not alone. As the battle lines harden on the ground, calls for Ukraine to seek a negotiated solution with Russia as soon as possible are again growing louder in the West in view of looming energy shortages and a global hunger crisis.

The travel plans of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić have sparked a controversy between Belgrade and Zagreb. Vučić intended to make an unannounced and 'private' visit to the memorial site of the Jasenovac concentration camp in Croatia. Zagreb pointed to a breach of protocol, saying that no head of state is allowed to make a private visit unannounced. Serbian politicians are up in arms.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi tendered his resignation on Thursday after the Senate representatives of coalition partner Cinque Stelle left the chamber in unison during a vote. Italian President Sergio Mattarella rejected the resignation, saying Draghi should seek a majority in parliament again. Commentators examine the prospects for Italy and Europe.

On Wednesday, representatives of Ukraine, Russia and Turkey met in Istanbul to negotiate again on a corridor through which 20 million tonnes of grain from Ukraine can be brought to the world market via Turkey. According to Turkish sources an agreement was reached, but nothing has been signed or published yet.

A fast-track tax reform is causing outrage in Hungary. The conditions of the flat-rate tax for low-taxed companies, Kata for short, will be tightened from September in such a way that the majority of the approximately 450,000 people affected will no longer fulfil them and will have to pay higher taxes. The government cited tax avoidance as the reason for its move. The national press is not convinced.