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New Statesman
a day ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
What Trump really thinks of Ukraine
(Photo byPerhaps the most consequential meeting of the Ukrainian war took place last night at the White House. Volodymyr Zelensky was with Donald Trump in the Oval Office before both leaders met with the top flight of European leadership. Since January, President Trump's Oval Office has been a sort of proverbial torture chamber, where he courts flattery and humiliates those who refuse to bend to his will. Sometimes these meetings can feel like a hazing ritual at a frat house, an initiation ceremony into the new world order. When Zelensky visited in February, JD Vance and Trump chastised him for not being grateful enough and a pro-Trump journalist mocked him for not wearing a suit and tie. This time, however, Trump played host. Zelensky didn't lose his temper. Sporting a black jacket, he made sure to thank Trump straight away and offered him a letter thanking Melania for her support – a wily move given Trump's Slovene first lady has become a White House critic of the Russian president, often pointing out to her husband that Putin reneges on his promises to stop bombing Ukrainian cities. Meanwhile, JD Vance stayed shtum on the sofa and later glad-handed Keir Starmer in the East Room. The atmosphere was congenial, poised and anxious. That Zelensky was escorted by European leaders has been spun as a show of unity. Which is true with regards to Europe. But remember that this extraordinary move to cancel their summer plans in order to fly to Washington DC was only necessary because Trump had been so chummy with Putin in Alaska. European leaders addressed him as 'dear Donald' in the hope that obsequiousness would sweeten their demands. The two key European requests were that the US provide a security guarantee for Ukraine, and that a ceasefire be agreed before a full-blown peace deal is thrashed out. The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the credibility of their meeting in front of the world's press depended on a ceasefire being in place before the next one. He didn't want to march up the hill only to let an opportunity to end the war slip by. Emmanuel Macron, sitting next to Trump, reiterated the point. Starmer stuck to the British strategy: meekness in public affords strength in private. He stuck to calls for unity. Trump had once promised 'severe consequences' if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire, but after Alaska he now thinks a ceasefire is unnecessary – evidence, yet again, of Putin's influence over the US president. One Washington insider told me recently that the administration wants to pivot away from Europe in order to deal with the Chinese. Europe should police its own continent, in other words, because the US has bigger threats to handle. There are two problems with that. First, European military capacity is weak. The UK, for instance, would probably have to move troops from the Baltic in order to guard Ukraine's eastern flank. Also note this morning's Financial Times, which reports that Trump might get another $100bn from the Europeans in exchange for American weapons for Ukraine. The opportunity cost is investment in Europe's own military industrial base. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Second, what happens if European troops get into a shooting match with the Russians across the ceasefire line? Would the Americans back them up? Trump has said he will support a European-led security guarantee, but the details are hazy and the promises untrustworthy. His Truth Social post last night spoke only about American 'coordination' of the security guarantee. The reset in tone is significant, at least. There is growing momentum behind a peace deal. Any breakthrough now looks likely to take place at a mooted summit between Zelensky and Putin. At one point, Trump was caught on a hot mic saying: 'I think [Putin] wants to make a deal for me – do you understand? As crazy as it sounds.' This either means Putin is genuinely ready to end the war, or Trump has yet again been duped by the manipulator-in-chief. In any case, yesterday showed that Trump sees himself merely as a mediator between Europe and Russia, as the Putin-whisperer with a hotline to the Kremlin, not as Ukraine's ally in the face of Russian aggression. This piece first appeared in the Morning Call newsletter; receive it every morning by subscribing on Substack here [See also: Trump reverses course on Ukraine, again] Related
Montreal Gazette
04-07-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Can a $10 fee save restaurants from no-shows? Some Montreal chefs are doubtful
The kitchen brigade is ready, the tables set. But when guests don't show, chef Jérôme Ferrer is left doing the math. At Europea, his Michelin-starred restaurant in downtown Montreal, a no-show is more than an empty chair. With tasting menus priced up to $185 and tables reserved weeks in advance, a last-minute cancellation can mean hundreds in lost revenue and no way to fill the seat. It's a problem many restaurateurs are all too familiar with. Known as 'ghost reservations,' the trend has worsened in recent years, hurting the profits of restaurants already stretched thin. Beginning July 17, Quebec will allow restaurants to charge a maximum of $10 per person when no one from a reserved party arrives. To apply the fee, restaurants must meet several conditions, including confirming the reservation between six and 48 hours beforehand and providing a simple way to cancel. The Quebec government has framed the measure as a fair response to the rising no-show phenomenon. But while the fee is largely seen by many in the industry as a step in the right direction, others say it still falls short. A $10 fee for a $200 meal? 'At Europea, $10 doesn't even begin to cover what we lose,' Ferrer said. Guests coming to his restaurant already receive a call the day before and again the day of their reservation, he said. But a large group failing to show up — or even arriving short-handed — remains a big problem. 'It's a small victory,' Ferrer said of the new policy. 'But it won't solve the problem. To do that, we'll have to rethink how reservations work.' Ferrer believes the system needs to shift entirely, toward prepayment or deposits, like in the hotel or concert world. 'Maybe we offer our $90 menu for $75 if you pay in advance,' he said. Short-handed groups hit hard For Damiâo Santos, director of the popular Ferreira Café on Peel St., the main challenge is not necessarily diners failing to show up altogether, but groups arriving short-handed. 'You'll have a booking for 12, and only seven arrive,' he said. 'That's a loss we can't recoup.' Even then, dealing with the shortfall is complicated, Santos said, as restaurants try not to upset customers. Ferreira tends to approach the issue with flexibility, hearing guests out and rarely enforcing penalties. 'I'd rather lose a few dollars than frustrate a customer who had a death in the family,' he said. 'Sometimes, you just don't know what happened.' Santos said, for the moment, Ferreira doesn't plan to adopt the new policy, though he acknowledged it might be useful during peak hours or in restaurants with more rigid service structures. The Association Restauration Québec (ARQ), which represents more than 18,000 establishments across the province, estimates that ghost reservations cost restaurants an average of $49,000 annually. For some, losses can reach nearly $100,000. Cumulatively, the damage is estimated at more than $400 million a year. Santos said he didn't know the precise impact of no-shows at Europea, but noted the loss was 'significant.' Most back the fee According to a Léger poll conducted this year, nearly 70 per cent of Quebecers support the idea of a no-show fee, suggesting customers may be ready to accept what is already common practice in other industries. 'When you go to a concert, you pay in advance,' Ferrer said. 'But in restaurants, we've never been allowed to protect ourselves.' Ferrer pointed to deeper structural issues: limited parking in downtown Montreal, rampant construction and a fragile restaurant economy where margins are tight and success is never guaranteed. 'We have 25 to 30 in the kitchen, almost twice as many in the dining room,' Ferrer said. 'We're lucky we can organize ourselves. But the chef who's answering the phone while cooking doesn't have that luxury.'
Western Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Serbian police remove barricades and make new arrests as protesters block roads
Demonstrators are demanding the release of dozens of university students and others arrested after a massive weekend rally, accused of attacking the police or plotting to overthrow the government. Police dismantled metal fences and moved garbage containers blocking traffic in Belgrade's Zemun district on Monday, while several dozen protesters raised their hands in the air and chanted anti-government slogans. Serbian gendarmerie officers prepare to remove a street blockade that was set up as part of a protest in Belgrade, Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Police also intervened separately in a city centre area. Protesters later changed tactics and continuously walked over a pedestrian crossing, thus blocking traffic again. The protests and blockades began after a train station canopy collapsed in November, killing 16 people. Many in Serbia blamed the tragedy on corruption-fuelled negligence in state infrastructure projects. Thousands of demonstrators halted traffic at various locations in Belgrade and elsewhere throughout the country on Sunday evening, including a key bridge over the Sava River in the capital. Police removed those blockades early on Monday. Police said in a statement that a number of people were detained but did not specify how many. Video posted on social media showed police vehicles driving at high speed through a blockade in one Belgrade street and people fleeing in panic. Serbian gendarmerie officers stand in front of anti-government protesters in Belgrade, Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Mr Vucic praised police action in a statement during a visit to Spain, saying: 'Citizens should not worry, the state is strong enough to secure law and order.' On Saturday, tens of thousands of people demanded a snap parliamentary election at a student-led rally they hope will oust Mr Vucic's right-wing government. Groups of protesters clashed with police after the official part of the rally ended. Dozens were later detained. Mr Vucic has refused to call the election, which is scheduled to be held in 2027. University students and professors are a key force behind nearly eight months of almost daily protests and Mr Vucic has accused them of 'terror' and attempts to destroy the country. Riot police used batons, pepper spray and shields to charge at demonstrators who threw rocks and other objects at police cordons. Nearly 40 people face criminal charges over the clashes, police said. People react as Serbian gendarmerie officers remove a street blockade that was set up as part of a protest in Belgrade (Darko Vojinovic/AP) Authorities detained at least eight university students for alleged acts against the constitutional order and national security, accusing them of planning attacks on state institutions. Critics say Mr Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power over a decade ago, stifling democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organised crime to flourish, which he has denied. Serbia is formally seeking entry to the European Union, but Mr Vucic's government has nourished relations with Russia and China.
Montreal Gazette
25-05-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Michelin stars trigger booking surge at Montreal restaurants
By When the Michelin Guide awarded one coveted star to only three Montreal restaurants earlier in May, the effect was immediate — reservations surged, phones buzzed and inboxes filled with booking requests. At Mastard, a restaurant in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, chef and owner Simon Mathys said demand has increased significantly. 'It's been crazy in a good way,' he said. Quebec's Michelin Guide, which is the third in Canada after Toronto and Vancouver, has drawn attention to the restaurants it featured. The three Michelin starred establishments in Montreal — Mastard, Jérôme Ferrer's Europea, and Sabayon — report heightened interest. But Mastard, which offers a single tasting menu served only on weekday evenings, will not be expanding its hours, Mathys said. The restaurant is only open for dinner and remains closed on weekends. 'We received a star for what we were already doing, so there's no point in changing,' he said. 'We want to preserve our quality of life.' Mathys lives nearby with his family. He said the local response has been notable. 'People were honking, neighbours knocked on my door to say congratulations,' he said. Europea's lunch menu is popular Jérôme Ferrer's Europea, a long-established downtown restaurant, has extended its booking window from three to five weeks following the Michelin announcement, according to Valentine Gros, who oversees the restaurant's gastronomic service. 'We've seen a big increase in calls,' he said. 'It's become very difficult to find a table.' Gros said the restaurant's $50 and $90 lunch menus have become especially popular, with bookings rising since the guide's release. The set lunch includes three courses, a glass of wine and a complimentary amuse-bouche. By contrast, the evening set menu is $185 with a $250 wine pairing option. 'It allows people to experience a Michelin-starred restaurant at a lower price point,' he said. Sabayon bombarded with messages At Sabayon, co-owner Marie-Josée Beaudoin said the restaurant was already fully booked most nights before the announcement. But since receiving the star, inquiries have increased. 'We've been getting messages from everywhere,' she said. 'There's a lot of interest.' The Quebec Michelin Guide was promoted in partnership with the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec and backed in part by six organizations across local, provincial, and federal levels. While full financial details remain confidential, the city of Montreal and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions confirmed contributions totalling $750,000. A 2024 survey by Quebec's tourism ministry found 70 per cent of would-be summer visitors were interested in the Michelin Guide. However, despite now being under the Michelin spotlight, the chefs and owners say their recipe for success remains unchanged. 'This is like inviting someone to my home,' Mathys said. 'And when you come to my home, I'm the one who decides what's for dinner.' Asked whether he might open the restaurant for lunch in the future, Mathys replied: 'No way.'
Kuwait Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Trump calls Putin, Russia, Ukraine to start truce talks
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON/KYIV: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Russia and Ukraine 'will immediately start negotiations' toward a ceasefire and an end to their three-year-old war, speaking after he held a call with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. 'Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately,' Trump said in a Truth Social post following his call with Putin, which lasted two hours. After the call, Putin said efforts to end the war were 'generally on the right track' and that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a potential peace deal. 'We have agreed with the president of the United States that Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace accord,' Putin told reporters near the Black Sea resort of Sochi. The Kremlin said Putin and Trump are both for 'normalization' of US-Russia ties, adding the leaders also discussed Iran and a potential new US-Russia prisoner swap. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the statement that talks would begin immediately. A source familiar with the matter earlier said Zelenskiy spoke 'for a few minutes' with Trump before the US leader's call with Putin. Kyiv has said it is ready for a ceasefire now while Moscow has said conditions must be met first. On social media, Trump said he had 'informed' Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Finland of the resumption of peace talks in a call immediately after his conversation with Putin. In his social media post, Trump said the Vatican, 'as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!' Putin and Trump spoke after direct talks last week in Turkey between Moscow and Kyiv, the first since 2022 in the early months of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Talks last week failed to agree on a truce. US Vice President JD Vance earlier repeated a warning that Washington could walk away from the peace process. Putin said the memorandum would define 'a number of positions, such as, for example, the principles of settlement, the timing of a possible peace agreement'. He said that if appropriate agreements were reached, there could be a ceasefire, adding that direct talks between Russia and Ukraine gave 'reason to believe that we are generally on the right track'. 'The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis,' Putin said. 'We just need to determine the most effective ways to move towards peace. He thanked Trump for supporting the resumption of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv and said Trump noted Russia's support for peace, though the key question was how to move towards peace. Trump, who has promised to bring a swift end to Europe's deadliest war since World War Two, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire after three years when Washington joined other Western countries in arming Ukraine. European leaders have said they want the United States to join them in imposing tough new sanctions on Russia for refusing a ceasefire. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy spoke to Trump on Sunday ahead of his call with Putin. Putin was speaking from Sochi while Trump was in Washington. Shortly before the call, Vance told reporters that Washington recognized there was 'a bit of an impasse here'. 'And I think the president's going to say to President Putin: 'Look, are you serious? Are you real about this?'' Vance said as he prepared to depart from a visit to Italy. 'I think honestly that President Putin, he doesn't quite know how to get out of the war,' Vance said. He said it 'takes two to tango. I know the president's willing to do that, but if Russia is not willing to do that, then we're eventually just going to say, 'This is not our war.' We're going to try to end it, but if we can't end it, we're eventually going to say: 'You know what? That was worth a try, but we're not doing any more.'' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump wanted to see a ceasefire, but that he had grown 'weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict'. Asked if a package of secondary sanctions against Russia remains on the table, she said: 'I think everything's on the table.' Putin, whose forces control a fifth of Ukraine and are advancing, has stood firm on his conditions for ending the war, despite public and private pressure from Trump and repeated warnings from European powers. – Agencies
