Today (Sunday), US envoy Steve Witkoff called on Moscow and Kiev to make “concessions” to find a way out of the conflict that has been taking place between them since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse.
He said in a press conference, following the first talks held by US envoy Jared Kushner with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in Kiev: “Both sides must make concessions and reduce their differences, and we believe that we have the necessary capabilities to achieve this.” He added: “It is very difficult, but we have determination and interest, and we hope that all of this will lead to a diplomatic solution.”
For his part, President Zelensky said today that the territorial issue, which is at the heart of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, can only be resolved through meetings between heads of state.
He said in a press conference that followed his talks in Kiev with the US President’s envoys: “I adhere to my position that such complex issues (related to territory) can only be resolved at the level of leaders.”
Zelensky has long called for a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, which the Kremlin rejects.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a two-day visit to Greenland on Sunday, with the aim of confirming the European Union's support for this Danish territory, which US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to control.
Under a bright sun, von der Leyen arrived in Nuuk, the capital of this autonomous Danish region, where she would spend two days. Its program includes a cruise between icebergs, a series of meetings with the Prime Minister of Greenland and the Prime Minister of Denmark, and the signing of a joint declaration between the European Union and Greenland.
During the visit, the President of the European Commission will emphasize a basic message stressing the need for this region to remain part of Europe, not of the United States.
“One family”
The head of the Commission said as she got off the plane: “We are one family.” European Commissioner Joseph Sikela, who accompanied her on the visit, stressed: “What happens in the Arctic directly affects the rest of Europe, and a strong partnership with Greenland is essential for our position in the region.”
Donald Trump's ambitions over Greenland led to a major crisis earlier this year, as he alarmed Europeans when they saw their old ally, on which they depend for their security, begin to threaten them. At the height of the crisis, the US President hinted at the possibility of “using force” to seize the territory of Greenland, which has a population of 57,000 people, which raised great concern within the European Union and NATO.
Tensions did not subside until a joint working group was formed between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States, in an effort to find a permanent solution to this crisis.
Seven months have passed since then, but the Europeans have not stopped sending messages of solidarity with Greenland and Denmark, fully aware that these threats may reappear at any moment.
The Europeans accompany these positions of support with investment promises, with the possibility that the President of the European Commission will announce a new aid package worth 200 million euros for Greenland during her visit.
“Europe keeps its promises,” von der Leyen said. “We are expanding our cooperation to include new areas, whether it is improving and accelerating connectivity, clean energy, or bio-based raw materials.”
Her visit coincides with the launch of the “Arctic Shield” exercises, which bring together soldiers from ten NATO member states, which is a “significant coincidence,” according to Mika Ploujon-Mérid, a researcher in political geography at the University of Quebec.
“Postcards from Trump”
This issue is of great importance, as although American pressure has decreased since the visit of Jeff Landry, Donald Trump's special envoy to Greenland last May, it has not completely dissipated. “We saw postcards from Trump or his associates about Greenland on a monthly basis, which indicates that they have not forgotten about it,” Plogoun-Myrid added.
In August, media coverage of an American oil company's preparations in a remote area east of Nuuk raised concerns again. The project, which is managed by a Texas-based company using licenses issued before the suspension of hydrocarbon exploration and extraction in 2021, has raised concerns among local residents and authorities, who have not yet granted permission to begin initial exploratory drilling operations, citing procedural reasons.
Nuuk, which relies heavily on Denmark and its fishing sector, currently struggles to develop extractive industries that could contribute to its economic independence. Today, more than sixty companies have about 135 mining licenses, but only two mines are actually operating. Here the role of the European Union emerges, through financial investment.
Brussels hopes that these investment pledges will achieve two goals at the same time: building a relationship of trust with Greenland, and diversifying the sources of basic raw materials on which Europe relies heavily, and which until now has been heavily dependent on China. It also aims to encourage the development of sustainable tourism projects and enhance regional connectivity.
Along with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Fredrik Nielsen, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, von der Leyen will meet with Faroe Islands' Prime Minister Bennir Johansen. Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland will hold their semi-annual meeting to discuss relations within the Kingdom of Denmark, of which these three entities constitute its constituent entities, in Nuuk on Monday and Tuesday.
The German far right topped Sunday's election results in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, which represents a strong blow to conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to estimates by public broadcasters, but it must be known whether its share of the vote is sufficient to rule this state, which was part of East Germany.
By obtaining between 44 and 44.5 percent of the votes, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is far ahead of the Christian Democratic Union, which is expected to obtain 18.5 percent, according to exit polls. If these numbers are confirmed in the final count, the far right will win 39 seats in the regional parliament, knowing that achieving an absolute majority requires obtaining 42 seats.
These elections are being held amid sharp polarization in public opinion and mounting fears among immigrants in the state. The latest opinion poll conducted by the public television network ZDF indicated that the Alternative for Germany, led by Ulrich Zigmond, obtained 41 percent of the votes. Which will double his result in the 2021 elections.
Zigmund (35 years old) cast his vote on Sunday morning in his stronghold of Tangermünde. The city has a population of about 10,000 people, where about 100 people welcomed him warmly, calling his name. The far-right leader pledged to tighten immigration policy, abolish compulsory education, and modify history curricula in schools, as they focus on the Third Reich's responsibility in World War II.
Nostalgia for the past
Zigmund exploits the feelings of nostalgia for the East German era among his supporters, who see that they are not treated equally with their compatriots from the West or even immigrants. The leader of the “Alternative for Germany” arrived on Sunday at the polling station with his wife, Julia, on a small “Simson” motorcycle, which symbolizes the East German era. Its color is blue, like his party's logo.
Jutta Neumann, 84, said: “I resisted for a long time, but I told myself that now I should give the Alternative for Germany a chance,” after she had until now voted for the “Social Democrats.” The retiree residing in Magdeburg added: State capital: “In my opinion, they are the only ones who talk about peace. Others only talk about rearmament... and sending money to Ukraine, instead of supporting low pensions.”
The head of the state election commission, Christa Dieckmann, in Magdeburg (the state capital), announced that the turnout rate reached 54.4 percent at 2:00 p.m., compared to 27.1 percent during this same time in the 2021 elections, and 35.4 percent during the 2016 elections. The committee explained that this data is based on a representative survey sample from direct polling centers.
Insulating collar
Police deployed reinforcements in Magdeburg throughout the weekend in anticipation of any violations by the extreme right or left, especially after the vote.
The latest opinion polls predicted that the “Conservatives” led by Sven Schulze (47 years old), who has ruled the state since the beginning of the year after serving as Minister of Economy in its government, would win 23 percent of the votes. “It is up to the citizens to act,” Schulze said after casting his vote in Magdeburg. These are democratic elections,” he said, adding that he was counting on “strong participation.”
Among other parties, the radical left-wing Die Linke party is expected to achieve 11.5 percent of the votes, the Social Democrats 8.5 percent, and the Greens 6 percent. The leftist pro-Russian PSV party and the liberals are not expected to cross the 5 percent threshold necessary to enter the local parliament. All parties have so far ruled out the participation of the extreme right in government, with the exception of the left-wing “PSVI” close to Russia, whose members are divided in this regard.
This restriction imposed on the Alternative for Germany may lead to Schulze remaining in power by forming a coalition with other parties represented in the local parliament. However, growing voices are rising calling for dealing with the Alternative for Germany with pragmatism, especially at the regional level, warning that keeping him out of power after the elections may fuel tension within the Meretz party.
