Eurotopics.net

Russian troops have reportedly launched a full-scale offensive against eastern Ukraine. According to Ukrainian sources the eastern front has been heavily bombarded, with shelling of Kharkiv and other cities. The battle for the Donbass has begun, Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky said. Commentators examine the situation with growing concern.

Against the backdrop of the rapidly deteriorating situation in eastern Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised financial support but not the heavy weapons demanded by Kyiv. Many say this does not go far enough, while others fear that with weapons deliveries Germany could further escalate the conflict and itself become a party to the war. Europe's press discusses responsible-minded options.

Opinions vary on how hard the sanctions imposed by the West are hitting Russia. Now the head of the Russian Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, has warned in the Duma that the "structural changes" will hit the country with full force in the second and third quarters of 2022. Europe's press takes stock.

Riots in Sweden over the Easter weekend left several people injured and caused considerable damage to property. They were triggered by Koran-burning rallies held by the far-right and Islamophobic politician Rasmus Paludan and his group. Police chief Anders Thornberg voiced the "strong suspicion" that "criminal gangs" caused the counter-demonstrations to escalate. What action should be taken?

The British government has announced plans to relocate newly arrived refugees to Rwanda, 6,500 kilometres away from the UK, for the duration of their asylum procedure. The deal with the Rwandan government has met with harsh criticism due to the poor human rights situation in Rwanda and President Paul Kagame's authoritarian style of government. The press is divided.