Mujtaba Rahman

“On the frozen assets, security gurantees and EU membership, nothing can be finalised without the Europeans…this is not a complete peace plan, That needs Ukraine at the table, Russia at the table and the Europeans at the table.” ENDS

“There is not, properly speaking, a plan on the future of (occupied) territiories,” Macron said. “It cannot be finalised except by President Zelensky.” 7/

On the European side, these included the Russian assets frozen in Belgium, post-settlement security guarantees and future Ukrainian membership of the EU 6/

Throughout yesterday’s press conference, Macron went out of his way to praise the US and President Donald Trump for their efforts but he also implied that Washington had overstepped the mark. There were several key issues, he said, that could not be agreed by Moscow and Washington alone. 5/

Lurking behind these conciliatory and cautiously optimistic words, there is a great deal of anger. The French, like other Europeans, were disgusted, by the original 28-point US and Russian peace plan. They are not, however, ready to say so publicly. 4/

Both presidents suggested that the ball was now in Moscow’s court. Both issued pointed reminders that Russia had rejected or ignored a series of proposals - at least four, Macron said – for ceasefires or balanced peace talks since February. 3/

But the word “mediation” (which Macron used several times, carefully praising US efforts) is a loaded one . It implies that the Europeans no longer regard the US as an ally but expect Washington to be at least balanced in its efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia confict. 2/

It would be wise to read between the lines of the Macron-Zekensky press conference in Paris today. Both presidents praised the “mediation” efforts of the US. Both men said hopes of a a “durable” and equable peace now rested on Russia. 1/

UK to announce plans to emulate stringent Danish immigration system Shabana Mahmood’s proposals draw scorn from some Labour MPs, while others want government to go further

So let me get this right. We had to leave the EU to control immigration, and we are going to control immigration by emulating the stringent immigration system of Denmark, which is a proud and happy member of the EU.

"Let's not forget, when we remember the service and the sacrifice with this poppy, that the people who bled and died for our democracy and our freedom, weren't just my grandfather who looked like me & worshipped the same God, but people across Empire & Commonwealth, who were Muslim, Sikh & Hindu'

Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick The prime minister has to change or his party will seek a change of its own

Really good piece. Excellent by @stephenkb.bsky.social

www.ft.com/content/94e0...

Greenland could become biggest car crash in transatlantic relations The Danes are right: If the U.S. president presses ahead in the autonomous territory, others can and will follow elsewhere.

Could Greenland become the next flashpoint in transatlantic relations? My piece for @politico.eu

www.politico.eu/article/gree...

Excellent piece

Trump told Zelenskyy he was losing the war, warning: “If [Putin] wants it, he will destroy you”

The US president threw Ukraine’s battlefield maps to one side & said he was “sick” of seeing the frontline again & again

Scoop w @christopherjm.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social & @a-mackinnon.bsky.social

🇫🇷 Macron told his cabinet that censure motions are dissolution motions. In other words, there will be elections if Lecornu is toppled. Far right & hard left have already tabled censure votes on Thurs. Socialists say they will table their own if Lecornu does not give way today when he speaks at 3pm

🇫🇷

Macron has reappointed Lecornu

Incredible

(Not in a good sense)

On 🇫🇷: I think tonight we are looking at an extension of the Lecornu process (not a deal or a dissolution). If there was to be a decision tonight, Macron would speak not Lecornu. He will say, I predict cautiously, that he is making progress & has been given more time by Macron

Lecornu has resigned. What will Macron do next? Appoint a technocrat? Call an early election? France's deep political ans budgetary crisis continues. What a week to be in Paris..

European strategic autonomy is in German hands As Berlin inevitably becomes the EU's dominant military power, its billions could either build or blur Macron's vision of European defense.

An age-old French nightmare — that of growing German military might — is resurfacing in a new form.

As Berlin inevitably becomes the EU’s dominant military power, our expert @mijrahman.bsky.social explains how strategic autonomy is now in Germany’s hands:

@politico.eu

‼️🇪🇺🇺🇦 All eyes are on Trump's second state visit to the UK, yet a far more important development is unfolding in Brussels, where senior EU officials are closing in on a plan to use the roughly €200 billion in frozen Russian assets in Euroclear to support Ukraine

‼️🇪🇺🇺🇦 All eyes are on Trump's second state visit to the UK, yet a far more important development is unfolding in Brussels, where senior EU officials are closing in on a plan to use the roughly €200 billion in frozen Russian assets in Euroclear to support Ukraine

Letter from Ed Davey to Keir Starmer condemning Elon Musk for inciting violence and urging unity to defend democracy.

I've written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, urging them to join me in condemning Elon Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence yesterday.

As leaders, we must stand together and make clear Musk will face serious consequences for these actions.

Can he succeed and can he survive? He is a listener and an energetic networker. If anyone can find a way forward it may be him but his problems will be immense

🇫🇷‼️ Sebastien Lecornu, the new French PM, is a confidante of President Macron, a centre right politician from Normandy who joined Macron in 2017 and has been in every government since then.

‼️🇫🇷 The French PM Francois Bayrou lost a parliamentary confidence vote by a landslide tonight - 364 to 194. 16 members of his own coalition voted against him or abstained

Her fate depends on findings of PM’s adviser on ministerial standards. If she breached ministerial code, she’ll have to go. May hinge on whether she took proper advice from tax lawyer on stamp duty rather than informal advice eg from solicitor (not good enough). 60-40 she stays - she is in danger

UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner admits underpaying tax Labour politician refers herself to government’s ethics adviser over £800,000 Hove flat

Couldnt make this stuff up

www.ft.com/content/064f...

The Far Right would remain unchanged on around 31-33% and both the splintered Left and the Centre Right would advance slightly. Although no second round seat totals are projected, the figures suggest that the Assembly would remain split three ways with no obvious governing majority ENDS

In an Ifop poll (see screenshot), the governing Centre alliance is given only 15% of the vote in a new election. An Elabe poll at the weekend gave them 14% - compared to 23% in the indecisive snap election last June 5/

Two other polls in recent days will confirm Macron’s determination not to call another parliamentary election to try to resolve the budget impasse. Both polls suggest that Macron’s Centre would lose seats, the Far Right would gain but France would still be left without a parliamentary majority 4/