Eurotopics.net

In the run-up to the Portuguese parliamentary elections at the end of January, the ruling Socialists are campaigning with a promise to gradually increase the state-imposed monthly minimum wage for full-time jobs from 705 euros to 900 euros over the next four years. Commentators are critical of the initiative.

The representatives of the US and Russia reiterated their respective positions during the talks on Ukraine in Geneva on Monday: Moscow wants a guarantee that Ukraine and Georgia will not be allowed to join Nato while Washington insists that no one can end Nato's open-door policy. Europe's press speculates on what will happen next - for example at the meeting of the Nato-Russia Council on Wednesday.

This is an important week in international politics: on Monday representatives of Russia and the US will meet in Geneva for the Strategic Security Dialogue. Then on Wednesday the Russia Nato Council will convene. Europe's commentators discuss how the talks could change the relationship between Russia and the West, which has recently come under major pressure over issues such as Belarus and Ukraine.

Calm has apparently returned to Kazakhstan's biggest city Almaty after protests there were quelled with the support of so-called peacekeepers from the Russian-led military alliance CSTO. Thousands of people were arrested; it remains unclear how many people died. What is in store for the country, and how should Russia's intervention be assessed?