Eurotopics.net

Hungary's Prime Minister Orbán has once again managed to bring about a watered-down version of the EU's sanctions against Russia. Not only did he block a complete oil embargo, now he has also succeeded in having the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, excluded from punitive measures. Commentators are appalled and ask why the EU has agreed to this compromise.

During her visit to Poland EU Commission President von der Leyen pledged to pay out the 35 billion euros in Covid recovery aid which had hitherto been blocked. However, she made the money contingent on judicial reform. The Disciplinary Chamber is to be abolished for good, and measures against judges are to be reviewed. The European press remains sceptical for a number of reasons.

For four days the British will put aside the world's problems and celebrate their queen: the festivities for the Platinum Jubilee marking 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign began on Thursday. Tens of thousands gathered to watch the Trooping the Colour parade on streets especially decked out for the occasion. The press, however, is not so unanimous in its enthusiasm for the monarchy.

In the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial, the jury has found Heard liable on all three of the claims against her and Depp liable on one of her three charges against him. Journalists are above all concerned about the fact that the online community clearly positioned itself against Heard.

The chaotic scenes ahead of the Champions League final in which Real Madrid played against Liverpool FC at the Stade de France last Saturday are a major topic in Europe's commentaries. Thousands of fans were denied access at the entrances to the stadium, the police used tear gas, around 200 people were injured and more than 100 arrested. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed regret while Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has acknowledged mistakes, but pointed to mass ticket fraud as the cause.