Eurotopics.net

French President Emmanuel Macron received Vladimir Putin at his summer residence on Monday. During the meeting he made the case for a new European security architecture into which Russia would be integrated. He also expressed his desire for a revival of the Normandy format after the elections in Ukraine. Commentators ask whether the meeting could mark a turning point.

The Czech Republic this week commemorates the crushing of the Prague Spring by Warsaw Pact troops on 21 August 1968. At the same time it remembers the events of 21 August 1969, when demonstrations marking the first anniversary of the suppression were also quashed, this time by Czechoslovakian police and militias. Czech media take the view that these events still haven't been properly processed by the people.

After the resignation of Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, President Mattarrella is keen to move swiftly to resolve the situation. Today, Wednesday he will discuss with the parties whether a new parliamentary majority is possible or whether new elections are in order. While some commentators fear that Lega leader Matteo Salvini will do everything he can to push for new elections others believe that a different outcome is still possible.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent a letter to again try to convince the EU to soften its stance on the Irish backstop. In the letter he offered to discuss "alternative agreements" to prevent border controls in Ireland. The President of the European Council Donald Tusk turned down the offer on Twitter. The media speculate on whether the EU will be able to stand firm.

After almost three weeks in limbo the rescue ship Open Arms has docked in Italy. The Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini was set on preventing this even though six EU states had offered to take the migrants. On Tuesday a state attorney issued an order to allow the boat to dock on Lampedusa. This latest controversy over a rescue ship prompts concern among Europe's media.