Eurotopics.net

Representatives from arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran announced at a meeting in China their intention of resuming diplomatic ties and normalising their relations, which have been fraught for decades. Europe's press comments on the fact that it was Beijing that brokered this breakthrough, which has taken the West completely by surprise.

The US's Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation took control on Friday of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which specialises in technology startups. This is the biggest bank failure since the financial crisis of 2008/2009. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said a government bailout was out of the question. Commentators discuss the reasons for the collapse and worry that other small banks could follow suit.

Traditionally neutral Switzerland will continue its policy of not supplying weapons to Ukraine. On 8 March, the National Council voted by a narrow majority to allow arms deliveries - but only if the UN Security Council condemns the invasion of Ukraine, which remains effectively impossible due to Russia's veto. Requests by other countries, including Spain and Denmark, for permission to deliver Swiss arms to Ukraine were rejected accordingly. The national press voices its displeasure.

Gary Lineker, former British striker and presenter of the popular British TV sports programme Match of the Day, has been suspended by the BBC after sending a tweet in which he denounced the British government's plans to change asylum law as "immeasurably cruel". He said the use of language in the policy resembled the rhetoric of Germany in the 1930s. Lineker draws both declarations of solidarity and criticism in the commentaries.

After announcing a Chinese peace initiative for Ukraine in Munich, the country's top diplomat Wang Yi has travelled to Moscow to present the plan there. It is due to be officially revealed in detail on 24 February, one year after the Russian invasion began. The Russian foreign ministry has said it appreciated China's efforts. Ukraine said that its own peace plan had priority, but that it was open to ideas. The press focuses on Beijing's motives.