Eurotopics.net

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin plan to meet on July 16 in Helsinki. The agenda is thought to include Russian-American relations, the situation in Syria and Ukraine and arms control. What objective is Trump pursuing with the summit?

In the run-up to the EU summit at the end of June leading politicians are searching for a solution to the refugee dispute. EU Council President Donald Tusk has proposed setting up centres for processing asylum applications outside the EU. Commentators are sceptical that this will deliver the all-important compromise in the escalating dispute over whether to open or close doors to refugees.

The Eurozone finance ministers decided on Thursday to pay a final installment to Greece, freeing up the country to act independently on the lending markets as of August. In addition deadlines on debt repayment have been pushed back ten years. Discussing the country's tentative return to economic growth commentators praise Athens and criticise its money lenders.

A speech given by Angela Merkel to commemorate the German victims of mass expulsions after WWII and to mark World Refugee Day has triggered harsh reactions from the Czech Republic. In her speech Merkel had said that there was no "moral or political justification" for expulsions. Some commentators show understanding for the indignant reaction from politicians in Prague. Others see the whole affair as a storm in a teacup.

Russia has got off to a better start than any other World Cup host in the tournament. Its cities were filled with jubilant fans and motorcades after the Russian team's second victory in its match against Egypt. But commentators suspect the celebratory mood about the team's victories will soon give way to political discontent.