Eurotopics.net

The presidents of France and Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky, have signed a memorandum of understanding on the purchase of aircraft, air defence systems and drones. Under the deal, France is to supply Ukraine with around 100 Rafale fighter jets worth more than ten billion euros. Who will pay for them remains unclear.

Jeannette Jara of the Communist Party has won the first round of the Chilean presidential election. However, because together the four right-wing candidates secured more than two-thirds of the votes, observers say her right-wing populist opponent José Antonio Kast has a good chance of winning the run-off vote. The son of a German Wehrmacht officer, Kast has close ties to the Spanish right-wing populist party Vox.

Spanish dictator Francisco Franco died on 20 November 1975. The death of the "Caudillo" marked the end of his nearly 40-year fascist regime and Spain embarked on the path to democracy as a constitutional monarchy. Commentators examine how the country has changed since then and what remains of the Franco-era legacy today.

China's growing economic, geopolitical and military power is changing the world order and fuelling fears about national security and competition in many countries. Commentators examine ways to respond to the challenge.