Eurotopics.net

Two weeks after the war began, the UN estimates that around two million people have fled Ukraine for neighbouring Poland, Romania, Moldova and Slovakia, making this the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Will the solidarity shown so far endure?

The US has announced a ban on energy imports from Russia. Although the EU will not join the embargo, it plans to cut imports of Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of the year and be independent of Russian fossil fuels well before 2030. While some commentators stress that this is not the time for hesitation, others argue that an embargo won't make much difference anyway.

The Ukrainian government is calling for an international embargo on Russian natural gas and oil. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ruled this out on Monday, saying Germany's energy supplies must not be jeopardised. The Kremlin, in turn, has threatened to ban exports in reaction to the economic sanctions. Europe's press discusses the options.

On International Women's Day Europe's press reflects on inequalities between women and men, from pay gaps to forced marriages in some countries. The role of women in establishing a global peacekeeping balance and in developing more sustainable and equitable forms of economic activity is also stressed.