France, the UK and Ukraine signed a declaration of intent in Paris on Tuesday to send a European multinational force to Ukraine. At the 'coalition of the willing' meeting, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff also pledged to support Ukraine's security. Reactions in the press range from hope to scepticism.

Protests broke out in Iran at the end of December, and the regime is taking a hard line against demonstrators: according to activists at least 35 people have died and around 1,200 have been arrested. There have also been deaths among the defenders of the regime. Initiated by angry traders in Tehran, the protests haveow engulfed more than half the country.

After initial steps last year, British Prime Minister Keir Starmerow plans concrete measures to bring the UK closer to the EU:ew laws harmonising British regulations with those of the EU in many areas are to be introduced in 2026. The British press debates whether watering down Brexit is a good idea for the UK.

Filip Turek of the Motorists' Party, who was a candidate for the post of Czech Minister of Environmental Affairs, willot be joining the government after all. Turek has been accused of racism, homophobia and sexism due to various statements he has made in the past. On Wednesday, during a New Year's dinner in Prague with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, President Petr Pavel refused to appoint Turek to a ministerial post.