Eurotopics.net

The Nato accession applications of Sweden and Finland have also reignited the debate about neutrality in non-aligned Switzerland and Austria. Seventy-five percent of Austrians still reject Nato membership, according to a survey put out by Austria's Institute for Public Opinion and Data Analysis. Commentators see the need for more debate.

Turkey is blocking Finland and Sweden's bid to join Nato saying it cannot agree to the admission of countries that tolerate terrorist organisations like the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and have imposed sanctions against Turkey. Sweden has refused to supply Turkey with weapons since 2019 because of its military operations in Syria. Europe's press seeks solutions.

The Dutch government has announced plans to ban fossil-fuel heating systems from 2026 and subsidise the use of heat pumps. The move also comes against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and Europe's efforts to end its dependence on fossil energy from Russia. The national press doubts the transition can be implemented so swiftly.

Despite tougher sanctions, the war in Ukraine continues to escalate and the situation is becoming increasingly devastating for the country's population. Calls for new rounds of negotiations on an immediate ceasefire are growing louder, and the Vatican has offered to mediate. Europe's press is sceptical about whether new talks between Russia and Ukraine can bring progress.

War is also a battle for public opinion. To prevent Russian propaganda in the West, the EU wants to ban Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik from broadcasting. For its part, the Kremlin is banning independent broadcasters in Russia and tightening its media laws. Without equating the scope of censorship, media in eastern and western Europe appeal for freedom of opinion.