Eurotopics.net

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenka in Minsk. Russian and Belarusian forces were taking part in joint military manoeuvres at the same time. Since Putin's foreign visits have become very rare in recent months, commentators speculate on whether and, if so, how he wants to involve Lukashenka in the war against Ukraine.

The World Cup in Qatar ended on Sunday with a thrilling football match from which Argentina emerged as the winner. French President Emmanuel Macron was also at the stadium near Doha for the final, cheering on his country's team, which ended up in second place. Europe's press takes stock of a World Cup which many had said should be boycotted.

Kosovo officially applied for EU membership last week. The main obstacle on its path to joining the bloc is the fact that five EU countries do not recognise it as an independent state. Neighbouring Serbia continues to assert territorial claims and recently threatened to deploy troops to Kosovo. What is the next step for the country?

A new media law was approved by a large majority in the Ukrainian parliament last week. The European Union had recommended that as an EU candidate Ukraine reform its media legislation. Among other things, the draft seeks to restrict the influence of oligarchs on Ukrainian media. Some commentators fear that the new law gives authorities too much power, also vis-à-vis editorial teams.

Almost ten months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, neither a diplomatic solution nor a clear military outcome to the conflict is in sight. Observers examine how the war is affecting the mood and attitude of people in Russia.