Eurotopics.net

As the UN climate conference takes place in Madrid EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to present a package of measures aimed at making Europe more climate-friendly in the fields of energy, industry, transport and agriculture today. The goal of the package is to ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for the EU by 2050. Commentators discuss how Europe can play a pioneering role in climate protection.

The Democrats have presented the charges necessary for impeachment: President Trump must answer for abuse of power and obstruction of Parliament's investigation. He is said to have urged Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son. Commentators doubt the chances of success of an impeachment.

The EU member states have declared the military agreement signed between Libya and Turkey at the end of November to be null and void. Among other things the agreement redefined the maritime border between Crete and Cyprus, where natural gas reserves are located. In the meantime Erdoğan has stressed Turkey's willingness to send troops to Libya to support the internationally recognised government. Journalists criticise Ankara's actions.

Moscow and Kiev aim to achieve a complete ceasefire in eastern Ukraine by the end of the year. In addition, Putin and Zelensky agreed in Paris to a partial withdrawal of troops and a prisoner exchange. Another meeting in the Normandy format is scheduled to take place in March. Commentators are disappointed with the results of the summit.

The World Anti-Doping Agency Wada has banned Russia from major sporting events for four years for manipulating laboratory data. The events include the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing and the Fifa World Cup in Qatar. Russian athletes have the option of participating under a neutral flag. What will the ruling achieve?