Eurotopics.net

A court in Kiev has rule that Kirill Vyshinsky, editor-in-chief of the Russian news agency Ria Novosti, is to be released after 15 months in custody. The ruling is being widely interpreted as a sign of an imminent exchange of prisoners which Russia and Ukraine have been negotiating for some time. The media of the two countries, however, remain sceptical.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is suspending Parliament for five weeks. The Queen has approved the prorogation, as the closure of parliament is called, from 3 September to 14 October. This leaves very little time for MPs to pass a law against a no-deal Brexit. Commentators try to interpret Johnson's motives.

In Italy the Democratic party (PD) and its former rival the Five Star Movement have agreed to form a coalition, heading off new elections. Giuseppe Conte, who had resigned as president in the confrontation with Lega leader Matteo Salvini, has been tasked with forming a new government today, Thursday. The press is only partially relieved.

Both prior to and during the G7 summit Trump made the case for allowing Russia to return to the group. Macron said the proposal was worthy of consideration, but the other leaders rejected the idea in view of the situation in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Putin may, however, be invited to attend next year's G7 summit in the US as a guest. Things certainly aren't looking too bad for the Russian president, commentators conclude.

The Berlin Senate's draft law for introducing a rent cap is kicking up a storm. The plan is to limit base rent prices to no more than 7.97 euros per square meter. Anyone who pays more can apply for a reduction. This will smother the free market, some critics say. Others argue that the free market doesn't work anyway.