Russian President Vladimir Putin received Donald Trump's chief negotiator on Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday. According to Moscow, it was agreed that trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US would resume. Witkoff had met with European representatives and Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo before heading to Saint Petersburg. The media discuss the prospects of a peaceful resolution against the backdrop of Trump's new hard line on Ukraine.

School pupils and university students are taking to the streets in France, and protesters rioted and looted businesses in Milan, prompting Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to deploy troops to the city. High rents, social inequality and a lack of prospects are fuelling discontent. Commentators look at whether politicians should crack down further or introduce reforms to address the problems of the younger generation.

Libya's eastern parliament has unanimously approved the maritime border agreement that the Government of National Accord signed with Turkey in 2019, five years after rejecting it in 2020. This means it is now recognised by both parts of the country. The European Commission does not recognise the deal, which redefines territorial boundaries, and has backed Greece and Cyprus, which consider the agreement unlawful.

According to media reports, the VW Group is planning a five-year wage freeze in the face of significant overcapacities and weak sales figures. Its 660,000 employees across the globe fear further cuts as a result of the austerity measures, and trade unions are threatening with strikes. Europe's press debates whether VW CEO Oliver Blume's tough measures are necessary or will only exacerbate the carmaker's problems.

In a bid to prevent further violence and looting after the widespread unrest on the weekend, curfews have been imposed in certain areas of major cities across France. Meanwhile, the Yellow Vests movement has announced new demonstrations for Saturday in protest at the high cost of living. As the 2027 presidential election draws closer, the media discuss the political and economic consequences of the unrest.

A meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping could take place in China on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November. The plan has stoked fear in Europe that these major powers will conduct negotiations without consulting Ukraine and its allies. Commentators discuss the dangers of a redrawing of spheres of influence and the consequences for European security.

After three unsuccessful attempts, the independent diplomat Luca Niculescu was elected as Romania's new prime minister on Tuesday. In the parliamentary vote in Bucharest, 280 MPs voted for the 55-year-old and 58 against. He will now head a minority government, with 12 of the 18 ministerial posts going to the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and 6 to independent technocrats.

Mass demonstrations and protests have taken place in countries across Europe in recent days, staged for the most part by young people. In many cases there have been outbreaks of violence and looting, with property being set on fire in France and Albania. Europe's media examines the causes.

At least seven merchant ships have reportedly been attacked by drones in the Black Sea off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria in recent days. It is not yet clear who is behind the strikes, which are fuelling concerns about a further escalation of the war in Ukraine and jeopardising key trade routes. Europe's press discusses how Nato and Turkey should react and whether the Baltic will be the next target.

US President Donald Trump has levelled new accusations against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that the US has "given Ukraine a lot – they've given us nothing" and that Zelensky was "no real help" in the peace efforts. The Ukrainian President had complained about a lack of support from the US. The press wonders whose interests are being served with these comments.

France was rocked by waves of violent protests on the weekend. Following protest marches against social problems, there were arsonist attacks, vandalism and street clashes in several cities across the country. President Emmanuel Macron spoke of "rioters from far-left groups" engaging in acts of violence together with criminal groups. Europe's press takes a closer look.

Ten days after announcing his diesel deal with Vladimir Putin, criticism of Donald Trump is mounting. The US President has now called on Ukraine to halt its attacks on Russian refineries and is stepping up the pressure on President Zelensky. Europe's press debates whether Trump is thus promoting Russia's interests, and how Europe should respond.

After the wave of protests in Spain, the housing crisis is now also sparking mass demonstrations in Portugal. Activists set up protest camps in the main squares of Lisbon and Porto on the weekend. European commentators look at why governments are failing to come up with convincing responses.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's ruling Ano party has suffered a crushing defeat in senatorial and regional elections in the Czech Republic. The party failed to retain a single Senate seat and has lost support across the country. The result comes as a blow to Babiš, who had campaigned on the strength of far-reaching election pledges. The Czech press discusses causes and consequences.

There has been another wave of school protests across France. According to official figures, 160,000 people took to the country's streets on Tuesday. The organisers put the figure at 480,000. Access to numerous universities was also blocked by the demonstrations. Further protests in which university students and trade unions also intend to take part are planned for Saturday. Europe's press looks at the reasons for the protests and why they are spreading to other sections of the population.

Relations between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have once again cooled: early this week the Ukrainian army's access to US data on Russian missile launches was restricted, which delayed the triggering of air raid sirens. The functionality of Starshield – the military version of the satellite-based internet service Starlink – has also been limited. Europe's media draw their own conclusions.

Without explicitly mentioning headscarves, the Azerbaijani government has passed a decree that bans religious clothing in state schools, on the grounds that it contradicts the principle of secularism in the education system and undermines school uniform rules. The ban has led to protests and violence in Baku. In Turkey, too, it is being sharply criticised, especially by government supporters there.

More than a month after the general election in Sweden, the bid of the Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson to be elected by the Swedish parliament as Prime Minister failed on Thursday. Given that the Swedish constitution imposes a limit of four proposed PM candidates, the national press speculates on whether it could come to a snap election.

The US will elect a new House of Representatives and a third of the members of the Senate in its midterm elections on 3 November. For President Donald Trump a lot is at stake: if the Republicans lose their majority in Congress it will be far more difficult for him to pursue his policies. Europe's press discusses the ramifications of the midterms for the US, Ukraine and Europe.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after an adenocarcinoma was discovered during a routine check-up. The operation is reported to have been successful and without complications. The media look at what the 71-year-old pope's illness could mean for the Catholic Church.