European Union

Moldova on Tuesday (24 May) detained pro-Russian ex-president Igor Dodon on suspicion of treason and corruption, prosecutors said, as the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine has heightened tensions in the country seeking EU membership.

Russian forces were launching an all-out assault to encircle Ukrainian troops in twin cities straddling a river in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday (24 May), a battle which could determine the success or failure of Moscow's main campaign in the east.

As the war in Ukraine drags on, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is increasingly moving in the direction of negotiations: in an interview on the weekend he said that ultimately the war could only be ended through diplomacy. At the same time Italy presented a multi-stage peace plan to the UN. How acceptable would a compromise solution be?

Although there are no signs of an end to Russia's war against Ukraine for the time being, people are already talking about how to rebuild the country. In Britain, the US, and also the EU there are discussions about whether it would be possible to use Russian capital assets that have been frozen due to sanctions. Other ideas are circulating in Europe's media.

A 21-year-old Russian soldier has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the first war crimes trial in Ukraine. He confessed to shooting an unarmed 62-year-old civilian under pressure from his superior as they were trying to retreat and escape back to Russia in a stolen car in the first days of the war. His lawyer intends to lodge an appeal. Europe's press welcomes the start of legal proceedings.

The WHO has called for action in view of a growing number of monkeypox cases outside the endemic area of West and Central Africa. Intensified educational measures and tracing of infection chains are needed, it urged. Europe is particularly affected, with around 150 registered cases. The virus is transmitted through close physical contact and its symptoms are usually mild.

Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, fears that China could follow in Moscow's footsteps and launch its long-threatened conquest of Taiwan have been rife. During a state visit to Japan yesterday, US President Joe Biden said that the US would support the island militarily in such a scenario. Beijing reacted indignantly. Commentators take stock of the exchange.