Eurotopics.net

In his State-of-the-Nation address Russian President Vladimir Putin focussed on social justice and promised more money for families, the poor and pensioners. He also harshly criticised the US for withdrawing from the INF treaty and warned it against stationing short- or mid-range nuclear missiles in Europe. Commentators find his statements worrying.

Conflicts over geopolitics are on the daily agenda in the Republic of Moldova. Since 2015 the parliament and the posts of prime minister and president of the country have been divided between pro-European conservatives and liberal parties on the one side and communists on the other. This division is also dominating the election campaign in the run-up to the parliamentary elections on Sunday.

One year after the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, four suspects are awaiting trial while a fifth has been arraigned as a possible contractor. The investigations are still underway and parliament is planning a new press law that gives politicians the right to a counter-declaration. The fight for a just Slovakia must not end here, the press warns.

Three Tory MPs have left their party and joined the Independent Group set up by seven ex-Labour MPs. who quit their party at the start of the week. The three Tories cited the disastrous Brexit policy as the reason for their departure. Journalists are eager to see what the group of eleven rebels will be able to achieve in British politics.

EU Council President Tusk has recalled in Kiev the pro-European demonstrations of five years ago. Together with President Poroshenko he commemorated the more than 100 people who lost their lives in the bloody fighting on Maidan Square in February 2014. On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the protests, commentators from Eastern Europe take a rather somber look back.