Eurotopics.net

The Russian financial monitoring authority Rosfinmonitoring has designated popular author Boris Akunin, who lives in exile, an "extremist" and "terrorist supporter". An investigation has also been launched against Akunin following a prank phone call by Kremlin loyalists in which he was persuaded to admit that he had collected donations for Ukraine. What to make of this latest move by Russia?

The vote to open accession negotiations with Ukraine at last week's EU summit remains a big topic of discussion in Europe's press. Commentators are worried by the fact that the required unanimity for the decision was only achieved because Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left the room at the crucial moment. But looking forward also raises major questions about the process.

The EU promised not just Ukraine but also the Republic of Moldova accession negotiations at its most recent summit. Commentators agree that the decision was mainly driven by the fact that the small southern European country is a target of Russia's attempts at destabilisation, but are at odds over how realistic it is that Moldova will join the bloc anytime soon.

Israel has, as announced, continued its operations against the radical Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip despite the latest UN resolution. But now a terrible mistake has been made: three of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas were accidentally shot dead by Israeli soldiers. Commentators discuss whether this is a sign that Israel should change its strategy.