Eurotopics.net

Belgium's largest wildfire in more than a century has already destroyed an area of around 30 square kilometres in the High Fens nature reserve near Germany's border, and is still not fully under control. Around 500 people are working to contain the flames, and many residents have been forced to evacuate the area. Commentators discuss what the rest of Europe can learn from the disaster.

Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed from his post as Ukrainian defence minister a month ago amid widespread protests, has called in a video message to the Ukrainian people for a legitimate, secure and realistic way to be found to hold elections despite the war. Democracy in Ukraine must not depend on Russia's actions, he warned. Commentators in the country take stock.

Shortly before joint US-South Korea military exercises are due to begin, US President Donald Trump has ordered them to be scaled back, citing both the costs and his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. He said their relationship was now "very good". The media examine the implications of Washington's U-turn.

A court in the city of Pskov sentenced Lev Shlosberg - a politician from the opposition party Yabloko, which is calling for an end to the war in Ukraine - to eleven years and one month in prison on Monday. The charges were "discrediting the army" and "spreading disinformation”. On the same day, the Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Court upheld the decision to exclude Yabloko from the State Duma elections due to take place in mid-September.

Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is against an Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and rejected the 15-point plan proposed by the US, which provides for the withdrawal of troops and the simultaneous disarmament of Hamas. Europe's press examines potential outcomes.