Eurotopics.net

US President Donald Trump will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this Thursday and Friday to discuss key political and economic issues such as the Iran war, Taiwan, global trade and AI. Commentators look at whether the two-day visit could serve to ease tensions or resolve conflicts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that his friend, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, could act as a mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine. In an address after Saturday's military parade in Moscow, Putin said he could envisage the former SPD leader acting as an intermediary in talks with the European side. Commentators debate whether this is a good idea.

Despite Labour's heavy losses in local elections and demands that he step down, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer intends to remain in office. While acknowledging his responsibility for Labour's poor performance, he also emphasised that it was his duty to deliver the changes that the party had promised. But the pressure is mounting: four ministers have now resigned.

There has been huge pushback against the official participation of Russia and Israel at this year's Venice Biennale. The jury of the Golden Lion all resigned, and the EU withdrew two billion euros worth of funding. The Russian pavillion was forced to temporarily close during a protest by the feminist protest groups Pussy Riot and Femen. Voices in the press are divided.

Friedrich Merz has headed Berlin's Black-Red ruling coalition for a year now. Promising rapid reforms, the Chancellor deliberately sought to set himself apart from the previous government, the so-called 'traffic-light' coalition, which appeared to be stuck in a rut. Europe's press debates to what extent he has fulfilled the high expectations in his first year and what tasks lie ahead.