Eurotopics.net

Officially, Bulgaria refused to deliver arms to Ukraine for months. But according to a report in the German daily Die Welt, the country’s former government under Prime Minister Kiril Petkov secretly supplied Ukraine with diesel and ammunition via intermediaries starting last spring. The Bulgarian press is divided over how much praise the country deserves for this.

In a surprise move, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that she will step down as of February 7. She no longer has "enough in the tank" and it's time for her to go, the 42-year-old explained on Thursday. Ardern, who has frequently made international headlines since taking office, plans to remain a member of parliament until new elections take place on 14 October. Europe's press takes stock.

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group will convene at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, this Friday. Europe's press focuses on the question of whether an alliance for the delivery of battle tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces will emerge at the meeting. All eyes are on Germany in particular.

Once the Pisa frontrunner, Finland's education scores are now declining. A new report published by the Finnish Ministry of Education paints a gloomy picture of educational standards in the country. It shows that in the last two decades the scores in reading and maths tests have dropped by one or two school years, and that those born in 1978 are the best educated section of the population.

Teachers in Portugal have been on strike since December. They are demanding permanent jobs, higher pay grades and more investment in schools. The protest is expected to continue throughout January. Commentators voice their sympathy.