Eurotopics.net

This year's Spief - or St. Petersburg International Economic Forum - is currently taking place in St. Petersburg. Although hardly any political or business leaders from Western states that have imposed sanctions on Russia are present, representatives from more than 40 other countries are attending the event. A delegation from Afghanistan has caused a stir given that the Taliban are officially considered a terrorist organisation in Russia.

The departure of the first deportation flight from the UK to Rwanda was stopped at the last moment by the European Court of Human Rights. British Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Tuesday evening that she was disappointed by the court's decision and vowed to continue pursuing her controversial refugee policy. Many commentators express the view that London's scheme violates human rights.

According to media reports, Macron, Scholz and Draghi will travel together to Kyiv on Thursday. The French president and the German chancellor have come under fire for being too lenient towards Putin, and Italy's prime minister has also roused the Ukrainian government's ire with a peace plan he submitted to the UN. The press speculates on what will be discussed behind closed doors in Kyiv.

More than 7.5 million people have left Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. In the EU they are entitled to temporary protection for at least a year, with the right to a residence permit, work and housing, medical care and education for their children. Europe's press discusses the challenges on the path to successful integration.