Eurotopics.net

The countries of Europe are responding in different ways to the rising number of infections but milder symptoms caused by the Omicron variant: Austria has opted for mandatory vaccination and hopes to win over sceptics with lottery prizes, while in England, the Czech Republic and Turkey measures are being relaxed. The European press is also divided.

A 1,900-page expert report on abuse in the Catholic archdiocese of Munich and Freising heavily incriminates Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Benedict, who was archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982, is said to have taken no action against clergy accused of sexually abusing minors in four cases. He rejects all accusations.

After the harsh words of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken against the Kremlin in Kyiv and those of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Moscow, Antony Blinken is meeting his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva for further talks on the Ukraine conflict today. A look at Europe's commentary columns reveals many questions and calls for pragmatism.

US President Biden has raised eyebrows with comments on the likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. "It's one thing if it's a minor incursion", Biden said, but added that an invasion would be a disaster for Russia. Europe's media are outraged by the notion that Nato sanctions are apparently to depend on the scale of any invasion.

One year after taking office, US President Joe Biden is facing serious problems: on the home front he has failed to push through social and environmental reforms, while in foreign policy the US's inglorious withdrawal from Afghanistan remains fresh in people's minds. And now the acute threat of an invasion of Ukraine must be dealt with. Taking stock, the European press is highly critical.