Eurotopics.net

The US has upped pressure on European Nato states to increase their defence spending. Vice-President Pence and Secretary of Defense Mattis have demanded that Nato members honour their 2014 commitment to invest two percent of GDP in defence. Some commentators question whether Washington has got its own calculations right.

One decree after another, attacks on the media, contradictory behaviour and foreign policy statements and a resignation in his team - that's the tally after Donald Trump's first month as US President. Europe's press tries to assess what these first 30 days say about the US under Trump.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday approved the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada. Legislation that will facilitate trade between the two entities is likely to take effect within a short period of time. The EU has resisted populist trends for the first time in a long while, some commentators write in delight. Others fear that Ceta will only boost populism.

The scandal over alleged connections between Trump and Russia is growing. Former national security advisor Michael Flynn has had to resign for reportedly talking with the Russian ambassador about lifting the sanctions against Russia before taking office and then lying about the discussions. And according to media reports Trump's campaign team was in regular contact with Russian intelligence agencies. What do these accusations mean for Trump's presidency?

Police in Germany have carried out searches at the homes of four imams who are members of the Turkish-Islam Union in Germany (Ditib) on suspicions that they were spying on supporters of the Gülen movement and passing on the information to the Turkish Consulate General. Europe must not stand by and watch as democracy is dismantled in Turkey and must take a tougher line with the Ankara-controlled organisation, commentators demand.

The Greek authorities have rejected a request by Italian fashion brand Gucci to hold a fashion show at the Acropolis on the grounds that the cultural character of the Acropolis monuments was inconsistent with such an event. Both Greek and Italian media are outraged by the decision.