Eurotopics.net

According to its state-owned company Gazprom, Russia has halted its gas deliveries to Bulgaria and Poland as previously announced. Their governments had refused to pay in roubles on the grounds that payment in US dollars is stipulated in their contracts with Russia. The Polish gas company PGNiG is talking of a breach of contract. It's all a question of dependencies, Europe's press points out.

Spain's King Felipe VI revealed his personal assets on Monday, which he says amount to 2.6 million euros. On Tuesday, the government passed a decree aimed at strengthening the transparency, accountability and efficiency of the royal household. From now on, the Court of Auditors will audit the king's budget annually, as it already does with political parties and public institutions. Spanish commentators don't think much of the move.

At the invitation of the US, more than 40 countries met on Tuesday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss the war in Ukraine. Germany shifted its position at the meeting and is now willing to deliver heavy weapons to Kyiv in the form of Gepard tanks. Europe's press is divided on whether more weapons and less diplomacy will help to end the war or risk further escalation.

Multibillionaire Elon Musk is taking over Twitter for around 44 billion US dollars (roughly 40 billion euros). The move was announced on the platform on Monday after a failed attempt by the board of directors to prevent the acquisition. The prospect of the richest man in the world taking Twitter off the stock exchange and moulding it to his liking has triggered a lively debate about freedom of expression, power and management.

With a historically high turnout, Slovenians voted on Sunday for the green-liberal party Gibanje Svoboda (the Freedom Movement). Newcomer and energy manager Robert Golob is set to replace the veteran but controversial national-populist Prime Minister Janez Janša. Europe's press rejoices, but urges vigilance.