Eurotopics.net

Ukraine has the lowest vaccination rate in Europe: only 21 percent of the population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Now an idea proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky is under discussion whereby those willling to be vaccinated would receive a digital voucher worth the equivalent of 33 euros that can be redeemed at sport studios, cinemas and travel agents. The vouchers are also meant to strengthen the economy.

Russia has admitted to testing an anti-satellite missile by shooting down one of its own disused satellites. The resulting cloud of at least 1,500 pieces of debris forced the crew of the ISS space station to seek shelter in their spacecraft. Nasa and the Esa have criticised Russia for creating additional space debris, but commentators focus on the message behind the move.

In Romania, a new coalition government is forming consisting of the national-liberal PNL party of caretaker prime minister Florin Cîțu and the social-democratic PSD, whose no-confidence motion toppled Cîțu in October. The Hungarian party UDMR is to be a third partner in the coalition. The office of prime minister is to rotate between the parties. Can this alliance between long-standing enemies work?

The start-up of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, which was completed in September, has been delayed after Germany's Federal Network Agency suspended its certification on the grounds that the operator of the pipeline must be "organised in a legal form under German law". Europe's press is divided: is this a mere formality, or is Berlin using the situation to make a U-turn?

Thousands of migrants are still trying to move westwards across the Belarusian-Polish border in temperatures around the freezing point. Poland has reacted with massive police deployments and is considering calling on Nato for support. Minsk is setting up emergency shelters and the EU is putting pressure on airlines it suspects of bringing in migrants. Europe's press is divided over Poland's harsh defensive stance.

During a video summit with China's leader Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden stressed that competition between the two powers must not "veer into conflict". Xi said that challenges such as climate change could only be tackled on the basis of healthy relations. Biden has repeatedly criticised China for its treatment of Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Uighurs. Commentators welcome the new tone in the dialogue between the two leaders.