Eurotopics.net

The US government has announced it will back plans to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and train Ukrainian pilots to fly them. Although the US itself is not willing to send jets, the decision now makes deliveries by European states a realistic option. Europe's press examines the ramifications.

In an appeal trial on the murder of the Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak, the prosecution had demanded life imprisonment for business tycoon Marian Kočner, the alleged mastermind behind the killing, but he has been acquitted for the second time. Co-defendant and Kočner's confidant Alena Zsuzsová, on the other hand, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The prosecution intends to challenge the verdict.

The G7 countries began their summit meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, today. In addition to war and the climate, relations with China will be high on the agenda. However, commentators observe that the unity of the G7 and its standing in the world can no longer be taken for granted.

Chinese special envoy Li Hui has spent two days in Kyiv exploring the possibilities for a negotiated peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. European commentators debate the chances of success and China's motives.

The Greeks will elect a new parliament on Sunday. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' ruling conservative Nea Dimokratia party slumped in the polls after the train crash in March, but is still in the lead. In second place is former PM Alexis Tsipras with his left-wing opposition alliance Syriza.