Musk is quietly pumping breaks on plans to start third political party: Report
Musk is also considering using some of his vast financial resources to back US Vice President JD Vance if he decides to run for president in 2028, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
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Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Takeaways from Trump's Meeting with Zelenskyy and Europeans: Praise, Security Talks, More Meetings
During their second meeting in the Oval Office this year, President Donald Trump said the US would be willing to support European efforts to police any peace deal in Ukraine, while its leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude and wore dressier clothes. And Vice President JD Vance kept his mouth shut. As Trump hosted Zelenskyy and top European leaders to energize months of stalled US-led efforts to halt Russia's 3 1/2-year-old war, the tone and style of the sit-down was far different than when Ukraine's president was hounded out of the White House in February. Following the talks, Trump called and spoke at length to Russian President Vladimir Putin who got the red carpet treatment at a summit with Trump last Friday in Alaska, to discuss the extraordinary gathering of allies. Trump said he would now work to arrange a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. Here are key takeaways: Trump says the US could back security guarantees for Ukraine A central question for peace talks is how to prevent further Russian aggression in the future. Trump has ruled out allowing Ukraine to join NATO, which would extend the military alliance's protection to the besieged country. He did, however, express support for security guarantees for Ukraine though details remain vague. European countries 'want to give protection and they feel very strongly about it and we'll help them out with that,' Trump said. That pleased Zelenskyy, who said the US was offering "such (a) strong signal.' With Europeans looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement in Ukraine, Trump suggested that Putin would be open to accepting security guarantees. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Sunday that Moscow was open to accepting NATO-style protections for Ukraine. European leaders applauded that notion, and the larger meaning it would carry. 'When we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent," French President Emmanuel Macron said. Macron said talks to determine what the US is willing to provide will start as soon as Tuesday. European leaders praise Trump but say tough work is still ahead The Europeans came to show a united front on Ukraine, and many used public comments to heap praise on Trump. That was striking given tensions over Trump's threats to impose steep tariffs and other issues. Ahead of their meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called Trump 'dear Donald' and said of fighting in Ukraine: 'If we play this well, we could end it.' In an interview later with Fox News Channel, Rutte called Trump 'amazing' and said potential swaps of Ukrainian territory weren't discussed. 'First, we need full clarity on security guidelines,' Rutte said. Though Ukraine might not have NATO membership, he noted, there would be discussions for security guarantees similar to those extended to members of the alliance. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after the meeting that there was 'real progress' and a 'real sense of unity.' Before the leaders spoke privately at the White House, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said all the parties were working together on 'a just and lasting peace.' Offering a more measured tone was German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said 'the path is open now' to halting the fighting but next steps are 'more complicated.' 'Let's try to put pressure on Russia,' Merz said, adding that he would like to see a ceasefire come together. Trump was noncommittal, saying, 'If we can do the ceasefire, great,' but suggested it was far from a dealbreaker. He dropped his push for a ceasefire after Friday's summit, aligning with Putin's position that negotiations should focus on a long-term peace settlement instead. The good feelings extended to Zelenskyy and Trump. After Ukraine's leader praised the 'very good conversation' with Trump, the US president responded, 'Great remarks. I appreciated it.' Speaking to reporters Monday night, Merz said the Russian demand that Ukraine give up unconquered parts of its eastern Donbas region to end the fighting would be equivalent to the US giving up Florida. More formal attire — and a far different reception — for Zelenskyy The meeting with Trump in the Oval Office on Monday was dramatically different than six months ago, when Trump and Vance harangued Zelenskyy for not being thankful enough for US military support. Trump even seemed to relish a reporter from a conservative outlet asking then why Zelenskyy wasn't wearing a suit at the White House. Ukraine's leader came prepared this time, wearing a black shirt and blazer. The same reporter told Zelenskyy, 'You look fabulous,' and Trump responded, 'I said the same thing.' Then Trump said to Zelenskyy: 'That's the one that attacked you last time.' The Ukrainian president said he remembered, then playfully needled his questioner. 'You are in the same suit,' Zelenskyy said as laughter rippled through the room. 'I changed. You did not.' Ukraine's president usually appears in a trademark hoodie or T-shirt — a show of solidarity with Ukrainian forces on the front lines. Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to the US and European allies for supporting his country, and repeatedly thanked first lady Melania Trump for sending a letter to Putin about stopping the killing of children during the war. In the Oval Office, Vance gave no public comments. Next steps in the negotiations turn back to Putin Trump, who bragged on numerous occasions during the campaign that he could settle Russia's war in Ukraine in a day, said repeatedly Monday that it was far more complicated than he ever thought it would be. But he also suggested — likely implausibly — that the fighting that has raged for years could wind down quickly. 'A week or two weeks, we'll know whether we're going to solve this, or if this horrible fighting is going to continue,' said Trump, even suggesting the issues yet to be hammered out weren't 'overly complex.' Still, much remains unresolved, including red lines that are incompatible, like whether Ukraine will cede any land to Russia, the future of Ukraine's army and whether the country will ultimately have lasting and meaningful security guarantees. Trump said he had begun arrangements for a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. But Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said only that Putin and Trump had a 40-minute phone call and 'spoke in favor' of continuing direct talks between the sides, Russian state news agency Tass reported. Outside the White House, Zelenskyy said no date had been set for such a meeting but that the US suggested it be as soon as possible. 'But for that, agreement of all sides is needed,' he said. He added that the question of territory 'is a matter that we will leave between me and Putin.' Though many European leaders oppose forgoing a possible ceasefire on the road to seeking lasting peace, they have supported a meeting by Trump, Zelenskyy and Putin in the meantime. Macron suggested that another summit could feature the three presidents and also top European leaders. 'The idea of trilateral meeting is very important, because this is the only way to fix it,' the French president said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Poll: Most Americans Believe Countries Should Recognize Palestinian State
A 58% majority of Americans believe that every country in the United Nations should recognize Palestine as a nation, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. Some 33% of respondents did not agree that UN members should recognize a Palestinian state and 9% did not answer. The six-day poll, which closed on Monday, was taken within weeks of three countries, close US allies Canada, Britain and France, announcing they intend to recognize the State of Palestine. This ratcheted up pressure on Israel as starvation spreads in Gaza. The survey was taken amid hopes that Israel and Hamas would agree on a ceasefire to provide a break in the fighting, free some hostages and ease shipments of humanitarian assistance. Two officials said on Tuesday Israel was studying Hamas' response to a potential deal for a 60-day truce and the release of half the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Britain, Canada, Australia and several of their European allies said last week that the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn Palestinian enclave has reached "unimaginable levels," as aid groups warned that Gazans are on the verge of famine. The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday Israel was not letting enough supplies into the Gaza Strip to avert widespread starvation. Israel has denied responsibility for hunger in Gaza, accusing Hamas of stealing aid shipments, which Hamas denies. A larger majority of the Reuters/Ipsos poll respondents, 65%, said the US should take action in Gaza to help people facing starvation, with 28% disagreeing. The number disagreeing included 41% of President Donald Trump's Republicans. Trump and many of his fellow Republicans take an "America First" approach to international relations, backing steep cuts to the country's international food and medical assistance programs in the belief that US funds should assist Americans, not those outside its borders. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led fighters stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, plunged Gaza into humanitarian crisis and displaced most of its population, according to Gaza health authorities. The Reuters/Ipsos poll also showed that 59% of Americans believe that Israel's military response in Gaza has been excessive. Thirty-three percent of respondents disagreed. In a similar Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in February 2024, 53% of respondents agreed that Israel's response had been excessive, and 42% disagreed. The latest Reuters/Ipsos survey, conducted online, gathered responses from 4,446 US adults nationwide and had a margin of error of about 2 percentage points.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Bankrupt Jewelry Retailer Claire's to Sell Its North America Business
Fashion jewelry retailer Claire's said on Wednesday it would sell its North America business to private equity firm Ames Watson for an undisclosed amount, as the company aims to cut losses while navigating ongoing US bankruptcy proceedings. The retailer operating more than 2,300 stores across 17 countries in North America and Europe, disclosed $690 million in debt in US bankruptcy court filings in Delaware earlier this month, marking its second bankruptcy protection filing since 2018. "The sale of these stores and Claire's IP to Ames Watson will significantly benefit the Company's efforts to create value through its Restructuring Proceedings," the company, which sells necklaces, bracelets and accessories, including headphones and soft toys, said. The sale requires approval from the US and Canadian courts. Ames Watson is a permanent capital holding company generating more than $2 billion in revenue, according to its website. It acquires, transforms, and partners with middle-market companies to build long-term value. Claire's has suffered in recent years from increased competition, high rent costs, and new tariffs on imports from supplier nations such as China, Thailand and Vietnam. The company said liquidation will continue for its other North American stores that are not being sold. "We are glad to reach this definitive agreement to sell a portion of our North America operations to Ames Watson and maximize the value of our company for all our stakeholders," CEO Chris Cramer said. Ames Watson co-founder Lawrence Berger said that the firm was "committed to investing in its (Claire's) future by preserving a significant retail footprint across North America."
