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New Statesman
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
Can Europe stop Trump selling out Ukraine?
Photo by. This summer, in between hosting JD Vance at Chevening and visiting Switzerland, David Lammy has been reading Edward Luce's Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski. The book charts the intellectual and political rivalry between the Polish-born US diplomat and Henry Kissinger. While Kissinger championed a foreign policy centred on the great powers – an approach Lammy regards as 'cynical' – Brzezinski consistently advocated for smaller countries, noting how they can act as 'geopolitical pivots' (a world-view that has influenced the Foreign Secretary's 'progressive realism'). Contemporary examples are not hard to find. As Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska on Friday, the question is whether Ukraine will merely be a spectator to its fate or, as Brzezinski would have wanted, a participant. For Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump's election appeared to promise the worst. The US president had praised Vladimir Putin's 2022 invasion of Ukraine as 'genius' and repeatedly hailed his leadership of Russia. It was no surprise, then, when Trump treated Zelensky as a helpless vassal during their Oval Office encounter back in February. Ever since, through patient diplomacy, the UK has sought to bridge the gap between Ukraine and the US. Rather than rushing to denounce Trump for his treatment of Zelensky, Keir Starmer 'hit the phones'. Ahead of today's virtual meeting between European leaders and Trump, No 10 has similarly avoided making public demands of the US president. The UK government's position, insiders emphasise, remains unchanged: any peace deal must be agreed with Ukraine rather than 'imposed' upon it and must be backed by security guarantees that will deter Russia from attacking again. But unlike Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, Starmer has avoided publicly demanding that Zelensky be present at the Alaska summit. After the nadir of the Oval Office meeting, government officials insist that there are encouraging signs. They point to Trump's increasingly public anger over the war – 'It's disgusting what they're doing,' he declared of Putin's actions earlier this month – and the announcement of sanctions on India over its purchase of Russian oil. But the danger is clear: that Trump resolves to impose a land-swap deal on Ukraine – weighted in Russia's favour – and declines to offer any security guarantees to Zelensky. (With this risk in mind, Starmer will co-chair a meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' this afternoon, after their call with Trump.) For Starmer, there is domestic as well as international peril in any capitulation by Trump to Putin. The British public is among the most pro-Ukraine in Europe: 79 per cent believe that protecting Ukrainian sovereignty matters to the UK, a sentiment shared across all voter groups, including nearly two thirds of Reform supporters. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Britain has consistently sought to flatter Trump into a just peace (as opposed to insulting him). 'What I do know about Donald Trump is that he doesn't like losers and he doesn't want to lose; he wants to get the right deal for the American people,' Lammy told me last year. 'And he knows that the right deal for the American people is peace in Europe and that means a sustainable peace – not Russia achieving its aims and coming back for more in the years ahead.' The latter scenario is precisely what Zelensky is now invoking. 'We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this… Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive,' he has warned. The question, then, is whether Ukraine's fate will be one in which the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must or whether, as Brzezinski intended, a more enlightened outcome is possible. This piece first appeared in the Morning Call newsletter; receive it every morning by subscribing on Substack here [See also: Visions of an English civil war] Related
Herald Malaysia
11-08-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Benedictine nuns in Sweden offer ‘a place of prayer and silence'
Religious sisters of the Benedictine Order have offered a place of prayer and silence at the Sacred Heart Convent in Omberg, Sweden, since 1997, welcoming anyone searching for a way to draw near to God. Aug 11, 2025 Sr. Katharina at the Sacred Heart Convent in Sweden By Mario Galgano – OmbergBenedictine nuns have resided at Heliga Hjärtas Kloster (Sacred Heart Convent) in Sweden, since 1997, at a convent originally founded by a group of evangelical sisters. The Benedictine nuns consider themselves to be a spiritual refuge in a secular environment, welcoming all those who are searching, the weary and those who long to draw near to God. 'We want to bring Jesus into the world like Mary,' according to Sr. Katharina, Abbess of the Benedictine Monastery of Omberg. She sums up what drives her community in a few words: a life lived in the footsteps of Christ, marked by silence, hospitality and a profound spiritual foundation. The Monastery is not centuries old but rather 'young' with a special history. The Monastery's origins date back to the Marientöchter Evangelical Community of Sisters, a Swedish-founded community. In the 1980s, several sisters began to explore monastic tradition more closely. 'The deeper we delved, the more it became clear to us: these are our roots,' says Sr. Katharina. In 1988, the community united with the Catholic Church—a process that took almost 10 years. 'We wanted to live in reconciliation and love. There should be no divisions,' she emphasizes. In 1997, the sisters had outgrown their previous homes and moved into a newly built monastery in Heliga Hjärtas. It was a conscious decision to follow Saint Benedict's rules. 'We visited many monasteries, especially those in Germany, to learn from the people who are already leading this life,' recalls the abbess. The sisters received special support from the monastery near Gütersloh, (Archdiocese of Paderborn), Germany, with which they still share a close relationship. There are currently 14 nuns between the ages of 40 and 85 living at the monastery, most of whom are Swedish, with the exception of a Polish-born sister. Their daily lives follow the Benedictine rhythm of prayer, work and communal life. 'Our goal is to seek God in people, in the world, wherever we go,' says Sr. Katharina. The monastery also welcomes guests. For many years the sisters have been running a 'House of Silence,' in which they welcome individuals and small groups, often people with no religious links, who share a desire for spirituality. 'Many do not know what they are searching for, but they find something here that touches them,' notes Sr. Katharina. 'People often say that come to rest and listen to prayers.' The demand is high, greater than the monastery can accommodate. There are 18 guest rooms, three of which are cloistered and reserved for priests and religious. The monastery is intentionally small, to leave room for personal conversations and spiritual guidance. 'Many of our guests work in healthcare or education. They are exhausted and feel empty,' says Sr. Katharina. 'They say, 'here, we can talk about the important things.' It's a great gift.' The Sacred Heart Convent is well-known to religious communities. Sisters from Denmark, the Netherlands, and other small monastic communities across Scandinavia visit regularly for exchanges. The Benedictine nuns of Omberg also share a connection with the Benedictine monastery of Alexanderdorf, near Berlin, Germany, in a network of spiritual bonds that extend well beyond Sweden. Though there are currently no novices, the hope for new vocations is strong. Sr. Katharina remains hopeful as young women continue to show an interest in monastic life. She says that her task is to bear witness, not with grand gestures, but in simple everyday life. 'We don't have to do great things,' she says. 'All there is to do is to live with Christ and radiate Him through our lives.'--Vatican News
Edinburgh Reporter
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Stryjek denies former club as Killie edge Livingston
A deflected own goal from newcomer Mo Sylla separated the sides as Kilmarnock edged Livingston at Rugby Park in the Premier Sports Cup. It was a tough one to take for The Lions who worked hard and were also denied by several fine saves from their former goalkeeper Max Stryjek. The visitors enjoyed a large slice of the play but failed to capitalise. Overall, however, the newly-promoted side will now have some idea of what they face when the William Hill Premiership kicks-off in a few weeks time. Earlier, Sam Culvert made his first start for Livingston and Samson Lawal and Teti Yengi returned to the bench. The first real chance arrived after 11 minutes following a breakaway, Culvert crossing for Stevie May but he failed to convert. Robbie Muirhead and May linked for Livingston and May had a one-to-one chance with Max Stryjek, but the former Livi player made a fine double save. Killie hit back and Brad Lyons found Djenairo Daniels, but he was off-target with his shot before Livingston's Danny Wilson was booked for a challenge on Liam Polwarth before Killie broke the deadlock. It was unfortunate that Sylla deflected the ball past Jerome Prior, but David Martindale's men did not let their heads go down and pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Stryjek made a great stop to thwart Muirhead and the same player was denied again by the Polish-born, ex-Livi stopper to keep the home side ahead. Former Lions skipper Jamie Brandon came on as a substitute for the home side and Kilmarnock replaced Lyons. Minutes later, Martindale made a triple swap in a bid to get back into the game. Andy Winter took over from May, Graham Carey came on for Macaulay Tait and Moorhead made way for Yengi. Culvert then threatened and played Winter in, but his cross was deflected for a corner. Dan Finlayson found Wilson but Stryjek was there again. Kilmarnock made a double change as the clock ticked on towards full time and Martindale also made a move, sending on Zak Rudden to replace Lewis Smith. Finlayson was then replaced by Shane Blayney and Carey found Wilson from a corner, but he sent his header wide and then Prior was called into action, saving from Marley Watkins. Four minutes of injury time was indicated by the fourth official but there was no further scoring. FLASHBACK: David Martindale leaning against the dugout. Like this: Like Related
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Who was Przemyslaw Jeziorski? UC Berkeley professor shot dead; family says 'doing everything to ensure justice is served'
UC Berkeley professor who went to Greece for child custody battle killed by masked gunman. A University of California, Berkeley professor was fatally shot in broad daylight in a suburb of Athens, Greece, on July 4, while visiting the country in connection with a child custody dispute. Przemyslaw Jeziorski, aged 43, was gunned down near the home of his ex-wife by a masked assailant who fled the scene on foot. Who was Przemyslaw Jeziorski? Jeziorski, a Polish-born scholar, was an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also held the Egon and Joan von Kaschnitz Distinguished Professorship in Business Administration. With over 15 years of academic experience, Jeziorski was widely regarded as a leading authority in quantitative marketing, industrial organisation, and applied microeconomics. His research spanned diverse sectors, including mobile money in Africa, online advertising, radio broadcasting, car insurance, and public health campaigns such as breast cancer prevention. He published extensively in leading academic journals such as Marketing Science, Management Science, and the RAND Journal of Economics. His work received support from prestigious institutions, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Recommend: Eat 1 Teaspoon Tonight – Wake Up With a Flatter Stomach Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo Jeziorski served as Associate Editor for Management Science and Quantitative Marketing and Economics, and was also on the editorial board of Marketing Science. As an educator, Jeziorski was known for his passion and dedication, having mentored more than 1,500 MBA and PhD students at Berkeley Haas, particularly in Marketing Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Marketing. He held a PhD in Economics from Stanford Graduate School of Business, as well as degrees in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Arizona and the Warsaw School of Economics. 'Our family is heartbroken': Brother His brother, Lukasz Jeziorski, posted a message on the European crowdfunding platform WhyDonate, stating, 'Our family is heartbroken, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that justice is served. Przemek was a loving father to two young children and a beloved professor at UC Berkeley. He loved teaching and sharing his passion with students.' Funds are being raised to support legal proceedings, repatriation of Jeziorski's remains, and related expenses. The professor's ex-wife, who returned to Greece six years ago, reportedly told police she had no knowledge of anyone who would want to harm him, according to Greek news outlet Zougla. Berkeley Haas Dean, Jennifer Chatman, expressed deep sorrow in a statement to ABC7 News: 'We are heartbroken by the tragic and sudden death of Professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski, a beloved member of our marketing faculty and the Haas community. While authorities are continuing their investigation, our focus is on supporting our students, staff, and faculty during this incredibly difficult time. My heart goes out to Przemek's family and loved ones. We will miss him dearly.' Greek authorities are actively investigating the murder. No arrests have yet been made.
Herald Malaysia
13-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Parish of Castel Gandolfo joyful ahead of Pope Leo's Mass
Ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit and celebration of Mass on Sunday, the parish priest of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo shares the excitement and faith of his parishioners. Jul 13, 2025 Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus in his parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo By Sebastián Sansón Ferrari – Castel GandolfoIn the heart of Castel Gandolfo, the papal parish of St. Thomas of Villanova has in recent days become a center of gathering, faith, and service. The community is eagerly preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV, who will preside over Mass on Sunday, July 13. Speaking to Vatican News, Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus, the Salesian parish priest, said the faithful, religious communities, and volunteers of Castel Gandolfo have redoubled their efforts in both logistical and spiritual preparations. 'Every time the Pope comes, the town changes its face: it turns into a celebration,' he said with a smile. St. Thomas of Villanova parish church is an architectural gem designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, commissioned by Pope Alexander VII. The building, which passed from the Augustinian Fathers to the Salesians on August 7, 1926, remains, as the priest noted, a 'beautiful shared inheritance.' 'It's just like when you prepare to receive a guest at home,' said the Polish-born priest. 'You clean, you organize, you attend to every detail.' The physical improvements to the church include the restoration of the papal coat of arms, technical adjustments to the church's structure, and new lighting. Measures have also been taken to keep the surroundings clean and to deter birds, with the support of Vatican offices. Beyond the renovations, the driving force behind these preparations has been the community itself. 'I was pleasantly surprised by how willing so many were to help,' said Fr. Rozmus. 'For example, a group of Opus Dei women came from different places just to lend a hand. These are gestures that build up.' Young people have also played an essential role, he added. 'We finished the summer oratory last week and they immediately offered to help with liturgical services and crowd control. It's wonderful to see them so involved.' For the community, the Pope's arrival is not merely an event but a sign of unity as the Church seeks to implement the Synod on Synodality. 'We are experiencing an enormous gift,' he said. 'The synodal journey reminds us that we are a Church on the way, united despite a world so divided.' Recently, Pope Leo made an unexpected visit. 'He stopped the car and got out to greet people. It was a spontaneous gesture, full of tenderness. His smile, his closeness… that gives hope,' said Fr. Rozmus. In Castel Gandolfo, where faith and nature are closely joined, the parish of St. Thomas prepares to welcome the Successor of Peter with a spirit of family, hospitality, and gratitude. 'We want every detail to be an expression of our faith and our love for the Pope and the Church,' concluded Fr. Rozmus.--Vatican News
