Eurotopics.net

Russia has been waging its war of aggression against Ukraine since 24 February 2022. Although Kyiv has managed to stop the country from being completely overrun, it has lost control of roughly one-fifth of its territory including the areas taken over in 2014 - despite all the weapons and support from the West. If the war continues like this the future looks bleak, commentators fear.

Hungary's Prime Minister Orbán has once again managed to bring about a watered-down version of the EU's sanctions against Russia. Not only did he block a complete oil embargo, now he has also succeeded in having the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, excluded from punitive measures. Commentators are appalled and ask why the EU has agreed to this compromise.

During her visit to Poland EU Commission President von der Leyen pledged to pay out the 35 billion euros in Covid recovery aid which had hitherto been blocked. However, she made the money contingent on judicial reform. The Disciplinary Chamber is to be abolished for good, and measures against judges are to be reviewed. The European press remains sceptical for a number of reasons.

For four days the British will put aside the world's problems and celebrate their queen: the festivities for the Platinum Jubilee marking 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign began on Thursday. Tens of thousands gathered to watch the Trooping the Colour parade on streets especially decked out for the occasion. The press, however, is not so unanimous in its enthusiasm for the monarchy.

In the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial, the jury has found Heard liable on all three of the claims against her and Depp liable on one of her three charges against him. Journalists are above all concerned about the fact that the online community clearly positioned itself against Heard.