Eurotopics.net

In recent days, the Ukrainian army has stepped up its attacks on Russian refineries and oil depots. Fuel is now in short supply in Russia, with sales restrictions in place in several regions. According to insiders, Moscow is now trying to import petrol from Kazakhstan.

In the Czech Republic, the dispute between the right-wing populist government led by Andrej Babiš and the country's president, Petr Pavel, who comes from the pro-European opposition camp, has escalated again. The government tried to bar the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces from travelling to the Nato summit in Ankara, but Pavel appealed to the Constitutional Court and won the case. The affair prompts the press to reflect on the separation of powers.

Swaths of Europe are in the grips of a second major heatwave this year. The UK is experiencing its highest June temperatures since records began, France has reported several consecutive heat records – with the mercury hitting 40.9 degrees in Paris – and in parts of Spain and Germany, too, temperatures are well above 40 degrees, with the nights bringing little respite. How to cope with the heat – and avoid it?

Russia has been waging a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine since 2022 and so far all attempts at negotiations have failed to end the conflict. Ukraine is currently stepping up its attacks on targets in Russia, and the Russian economy is showing growing signs of weakness. Commentators discuss whether this might be an auspicious moment for Europe to take the initiative in negotiations.