Eurotopics.net

The war in Ukraine is causing a marked rise in energy prices across the globe. This is one of the factors driving Europe to seek independence from Russian fossil fuels as quickly as possible. In the short term, governments are also trying to develop strategies to cushion the impact of price hikes and counteract the impoverishment of the population. Europe's press debates the different approaches.

Hundreds of Western companies have suspended their Russian business operations or announced their withdrawal in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine. The Kremlin initially reacted by threatening to punish such companies or to expropriate and nationalise them but has now adopted a more conciliatory tone. Commentators take very different views of the consequences of the withdrawal of Western companies from Russia.

The United Nations estimates that up to four million people may flee the war in Ukraine. More than three million refugees have already reached the borders of neighbouring Poland, Romania, Moldova, Slovakia and Hungary. Commentators urge people to make the necessary preparations to receive the refugees - and also to think of those fleeing Russia.

Russia's war against Ukraine has shaken certainties and led to a fundamental revision of certain ideas and policies. Defence budgets are being drastically increased, the EU is jointly supplying military equipment to Kyiv. Commentators ask what Europe will look like when the weapons fall silent, and what should be done in anticipation of that moment.

The EU plans to earmark another 500 million euros in weapons and equipment for the Ukrainian military. At the same time, it has dampened Kyiv's hopes of joining the Union any time soon. The European press analyses the reasons.