Eurotopics.net

A Court of Appeals has ruled that the UK is not allowed to outsource asylum procedures to Rwanda, as had been decided in 2022. It judged that Rwanda cannot be considered a safe third country because deficiencies in the asylum procedure there could lead to legitimate asylum seekers being deported to their countries of origin. The decision can still be appealed to the UK's Supreme Court.

The press in the West and all over the world is rife with speculation about how Putin will deal with those within his own ranks who were implicated in the aborted Wagner uprising. The disappearance of General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine who according to press reports has been imprisoned on suspicion of complicity is further fueling speculation.

When fighters of the Wagner mercenary organisation advanced towards Moscow on the weekend, Vladimir Putin spoke of treason and threatened harsh punishment. A few hours later the mutiny was called off and Putin guaranteed Prigozhin and his soldiers impunity. Commentators discuss what this back and forth means for the future of Wagner and the Russian army.

Sweden's government is considering abolishing supplementary child benefits for large families. Currently the state pays 1,250 kronor - or roughly 105 euros - per month for the first child. The amount then gradually increases, so that a family with seven children receives around 172 euros per child. Statistics show that the system mainly benefits immigrant families. The press welcomes the initiative in the name of equality and integration.

The number of refugees worldwide increased by 19 million in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to the UNHCR. Of these, 11.6 million were Ukrainians. The EU has just introduced tighter asylum laws, while Europeans are discussing the latest boat tragedy in the Mediterranean in which hundreds of migrants reportedly drowned. In Europe's press we see disillusionment and appeals to humanity.