Eurotopics.net

An Israeli planning committee has approved a project to expand Jewish settlements in a particularly sensitive area of the West Bank, effectively dividing the Palestinian territory in two. Meanwhile, the Israeli army is advancing on Gaza City. During a visit to troops there, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would begin negotiations with Hamas immediately. European media assess Israel's actions in both locations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that a peacekeeping operation carried out by European troops in Ukraine would be "absolutely unacceptable" for Moscow and that at this stage a summit meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine would be premature. The Russian military has also intensified its air strikes on Ukrainian cities. Europe's press sees little scope for peace negotiations.

After a military drone crashed in Poland on Wednesday, the country's defence ministry has accused Russia of provocation. As was the case in Lithuania three weeks ago, Poland's press now asks how prepared the country would be for hostile drones in an emergency situation.

In a bid to promote reading skills, the Danish government has announced it will abolish VAT on books - which at 25 percent is currently the highest in Europe. Danish media are delighted and hope that lower prices will boost reading among the population. In Finland, on the other hand, VAT on books was raised from 10 to 14 percent at the start of the year - a step which has drawn much criticism.