Eurotopics.net

The EU Commission plans to further tighten its sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a sixth package on Wednesday, which also includes an oil embargo. Transitional periods are intended to make it easier for skeptical member states to agree to the measures. European commentators pose questions about the potential consequences.

On 9 May, Russia traditionally celebrates the victory of the Soviet Union over Hitler's Germany with a large parade on Red Square. The Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic countries also commemorate the victims on this day, and celebrate the end of the Second World War. The press examines the significance of 9 May this year in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov repeated Russia's claims that the war in Ukraine is a denazification operation on the Italian TV channel Rete4 on Sunday evening. Referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he drew a comparison with Hitler and his purported Jewish ancestry. Israel reacted indignantly. Commentators warn of dangerous tendencies that also affect specific EU countries.

According to the US daily Politico, women in the US could be on the brink of losing the right to abortion. A majority of Supreme Court justices reportedly wrote a draft opinion to this effect. If it becomes law, the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that guaranteed protection of abortion rights for women would be struck down. What is the position of the European press?