Eurotopics.net

This year Ukraine's Independence Day on 24 August also marked six months since the beginning of Putin's war against Ukraine. In an address to the United Nations, Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky stressed the importance of Ukrainian independence for the world: if Russia is not stopped, "Russian murderers will probably end up in other countries", he warned. Commentators discuss the prospects for Europe.

The euro's drop to below US dollar parity is increasing concerns about the economy in the EU. This week the EU's single currency fell to a new 20-year low of 0.9909 euros to the dollar, stoking fears of a recession. Commentators discuss the causes and consequences.

Tory members have until September 5 to vote on who should lead the Conservative Party and by extension the British government. According to polls, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has a clear lead against her only remaining rival, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. Commentators weigh up the prospects.

Video footage from Fresnes Prison, just south of Paris, is making headlines in France. The images show inmates competing against guards and other prison staff in a go-kart race and other games. The events were inspired by a French reality TV show and have sparked a debate about how much fun prisoners should be allowed to have.

General elections will take place in Sweden on 11 September, and politicians are trying to win support by taking a tough stance on migration policy. The right-wing nationalist Sweden Democrats want to tear down a bridge under construction between a wealthy and a poor neighbourhood in Stockholm, and Social Democratic Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has also pointed to integration problems. The press is sceptical.