Preparing the capitulation of Ukraine

By Georgi Gotev

On Sunday, former French president François Hollande commented on Donald Trump's promise to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in just 24 hours. In his words, Trump is preparing "the capitulation of Ukraine."

Hollande knows the subject. As president of France, he was involved in negotiating the now-infamous Minsk 1 and Minsk 2 agreements with Vladimir Putin, and his mandate briefly coincided with Donald Trump's first term.

Trump "will stop helping" Kyiv, and then, as part of a peace conference, he will “give Putin all the land he has acquired" since the Russian incursions, including Crimea. "And then he will tell the Europeans: For the rest, it is up to you to guarantee the security of Ukraine, if you think it is necessary, and it is up to you to help Ukraine for its reconstruction," Hollande explained.

The predecessor of incumbent President Emmanuel Macron said that such capitulation would be “unbearable” for the Ukrainians and a “humiliation” for Europe.

“What Trump says with immoderation, he realises with excess,” Hollande warned.

On Friday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Putin on the phone for the first time since December 2022, urging him to start "serious" talks with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted angrily, saying, “Olaf's call is [opening] a Pandora's box,” which plays into Putin's hand and ends his isolation.

Paris is unsure about the EU Ukraine military aid reimbursement scheme. France argues allowing member states to send voluntary contributions sets a dangerous precedent.

German vice-chancellor Robert Habeckn backs ‘sovereignty transfer to Brussels’ as the Greens' lead candidate. The party has also chosen other pro-Europeans for the leadership.

Foreign ministers meet in Brussels today to discuss a controversial proposal by the EU's departing foreign policy chief Borell, to suspend political talks with Israel.

The EU PESCO defence review aims to strengthen ties with Ukraine, avoid failed projects, and secure extra funding. A senior official urges a focus on member's critical needs.

Talks on the first British-German treaty on ice, as German snap elections leave ratification with “little prospect of success,” Euractiv learns from government sources.

Most EU countries failing to implement minimum wage rules, union warns. “It is shocking that so many governments failed to deliver on the promises made to working people,” says ETUC.

Dutch foreign minister criticises Borrell plan to stop Israel talks. “I think we should keep the doors open,” Caspar Veldkamp told reporters in Brussels.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praises and then criticises Scholz for calling Putin. “No one will stop Putin with phone calls.”

EU heading in the wrong direction on antibiotic use, health agency warns. It is falling behind its 2030 AMR targets, with progress varying across member states, according to the ECDC.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the G20 Leaders' Summit.
• UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan continues into its second week.
• EU ministers meet for an informal meeting to discuss the demographic changes in Europe, Budapest, Hungary.
• Court of Justice of the European Union releases their verdict regarding EU citizenship and the right to become a member of a political party.
• The European Parliament will hold an extraordinary plenary session to mark 1000 days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium.
• EU ministers will gather for a Foreign Affairs Council meeting to discuss defence issues in Brussels, Belgium.
• EU ministers will also gather for a General Affairs Council meeting.