Eurotopics.net

Russia has announced that it will partially withdraw the troops it has had stationed near Ukraine for weeks. The US had predicted that it would attack Ukraine today, Wednesday, and so far the situation on the border remains unchanged according to Nato. Nevertheless, Putin's announcement is seen as a sign of an easing of tensions. While some commentators see this as a success for the West, others believe it's just tactics.

The Russian Duma has submitted a petition to President Putin calling on him to recognise the independence of the "people's republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine declared by pro-Russian separatists. Russian commentators examine the potential consequences of such a move.

Prince Andrew has reached an out-of-court settlement with the plaintiff Virginia Giuffre to avoid a trial on charges of abuse. If the court in Manhattan accepts the settlement, the civil case will be dropped and the prince will be left with a clean record. Europe's press comments on what this means for the royal family, Prince Andrew and the British people.

In Turkey, six opposition parties formed an alliance on Saturday to replace President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Their goal is to end the presidential system he introduced and strengthen parliament. Erdoğan's "arbitrary" conduct is to blame for Turkey's severe crisis, the party leaders declared. Turkish media are divided over whether the alliance is a good idea.