Eurotopics.net

After more than a month of debate over imposing an oil embargo against Russia, the EU has reached a compromise: imports via sea routes will be blocked, while landlocked countries Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia will be able to continue receiving oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary in particular fiercely opposed the embargo. Europe's press examines what this middle path can achieve.

Turkey's President Erdoğan has again offered to act as mediator in talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, and proposed Istanbul as the venue. After German Chancellor Scholz and French President Macron had a phone conversation with Putin last week, Erdoğan has now also talked on the phone to the Russian president. And Turkey would be willing to participate in an observation mission in cooperation with Russia, Ukraine and the UN, he said. Commentators are dubious.

The chaotic scenes ahead of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at the Stade de France last Saturday are a major topic in France this week. Thousands of fans were denied access at the entrances to the stadium, the police used tear gas, around 200 people were injured and more than 100 arrested. France's Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has defended the police's actions at the event. Who is to blame?

With a year to go before parliamentary and presidential elections, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling AK party have caused a new wave of outrage - both in and outside Turkey. Cultural events are being cancelled in municipalities where the AK Party is in power because the artists sing in Kurdish or supposedly incite immoral behaviour. Last week alone, several concerts were banned. Commentators are furious.

After lengthy negotiations the EU has agreed on a partial oil embargo as part of its sixth sanctions package against Russia, with all imports via sea routes to be blocked. For countries like Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, however, the land route via the Druzhba pipeline will remain open. Germany and Poland plan to stop importing oil via this route as of 2023. Europe's media are unimpressed.