Eurotopics.net

The EU Commission on Wednesday presented its RepowerEU plan, which aims to reduce dependence on Russian energy and accelerate the green transition. The EU plans to invest up to 300 billion euros in the form of loans and grants in the initiative. Massive investments, energy savings and a joint procurement mechanism similar to that for vaccines are also in the pipeline. An inspired project for the future or too much too fast?

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.