标签： Europe

In a pivotal moment for Bosnia-Herzegovina, voters in the Serb-dominated region of Republika Srpska headed to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president. This snap election follows the removal of Milorad Dodik, the former pro-Russian leader, who was ousted in August after a Bosnian court convicted him of defying the international High Representative for Bosnia. Dodik, who was sentenced to a year in prison and barred from public office, paid a fine to avoid incarceration and remains the leader of his Party of Independent Social Democrats. The election pits Sinisa Karan, Dodik’s chosen successor, against Branko Blanusa, a university professor representing the opposition Serb Democratic Party. Four other candidates are also in the race, though they are considered less competitive. Blanusa, after casting his vote in Banja Luka, emphasized the campaign’s fairness and urged a high voter turnout among the 1.2 million Bosnian Serb electorate. The election unfolds against a backdrop of deep ethnic divisions and political instability. Bosnia’s complex governance structure, established by the 1995 U.S.-brokered Dayton Agreement, divides the country into two entities: Republika Srpska, controlled by Serbs, and a federation shared by Bosniaks and Croats. Dodik, a long-time advocate for Republika Srpska’s secession from Bosnia, has faced international sanctions for his separatist policies. Although the U.S. recently lifted sanctions after Dodik agreed to step down, tensions persist with the international community, particularly with Christian Schmidt, the peace envoy overseeing Bosnia’s post-war stability. Dodik has actively campaigned for Karan, framing the election as a continuation of his political agenda. The outcome of this election could significantly impact Bosnia’s fragile political landscape and its relations with the international community.

In May 2017, Emmanuel Macron, freshly elected as France’s president, addressed his supporters with a promise to bridge the nation’s divides and win over voters who had backed his far-right rival, Marine Le Pen. Le Pen, leader of the National Front (now rebranded as National Rally), had secured over 10.6 million votes—a historic high for her party. Macron vowed to address the “anger” and “distress” driving these voters, pledging to eliminate their reasons for supporting extremist parties. However, as Macron’s presidency nears its end, this promise lies in ruins. Le Pen’s nativist rhetoric, targeting immigrants, Muslims, and the European Union, has gained millions of converts. National Rally, shedding its controversial past under Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has become the largest party in parliament and is poised for a potential victory in the 2027 elections.

A proposed peace plan to end the Ukraine war, allegedly authored by the United States, has ignited significant debate and resistance from Ukraine’s allies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the draft, which includes provisions favorable to Russia, was developed with input from both Russia and Ukraine. However, Republican Senator Mike Rounds contradicted this, stating that Rubio had informed lawmakers the plan was not US policy but rather a Russian proposal. The State Department swiftly denied Rounds’ claims, asserting that the proposal was indeed crafted by the US. The plan, which remains undisclosed but has been widely leaked, includes controversial measures such as Ukraine withdrawing troops from eastern regions and limiting its armed forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of the plan’s potential to leave Ukraine vulnerable, while Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested it could form the basis of an agreement. The proposal has faced strong opposition from European leaders, including France and Germany, who argue it undermines Ukraine’s security. US President Donald Trump, who has prioritized ending the conflict, clarified that the plan is not a final offer and extended the deadline for Ukraine’s approval. As negotiations continue in Geneva, the international community remains divided over the plan’s feasibility and implications for lasting peace.

Allies of Ukraine from Europe, Canada, and Japan have raised significant concerns regarding a US-proposed peace plan aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. While acknowledging that the draft contains elements essential for a just and lasting peace, they emphasized the need for additional work, particularly on issues related to border changes and limitations on Ukraine’s military capabilities. The joint statement, issued during the G20 summit in South Africa, was signed by leaders from Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany, Norway, and top EU officials. They stressed that borders must not be altered by force and expressed worries about proposed caps on Ukraine’s armed forces, which could leave the country vulnerable to future attacks. US President Donald Trump clarified that the draft plan was not his final offer, and discussions are ongoing. Security officials from Britain, France, Germany, the US, and Ukraine are set to meet in Geneva on Sunday to further deliberate on the 28-point proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Ukraine is facing one of the most challenging moments in its history, pressured to accept a plan perceived as favorable to Moscow. The US plan includes provisions for Ukrainian troop withdrawals from contested regions, limitations on military personnel, and the potential reintegration of Russia into the global economy. Zelensky has appointed Andriy Yermak to lead Ukraine’s negotiating team, emphasizing the need to defend national interests and prevent further Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that Moscow is willing to show flexibility but remains prepared to continue fighting. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the complexities of the proposed peace deal.

At the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada, U.S. senators vehemently criticized a 28-point peace proposal on Ukraine, crafted by the Trump administration and the Kremlin without Ukraine’s involvement. The plan, which accommodates numerous Russian demands, including territorial concessions, was labeled as one of the most serious geopolitical errors of our time. Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, compared the proposal to the infamous 1938 Munich Pact, a failed act of appeasement by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. King emphasized that the plan rewards aggression and lacks any ethical, legal, or moral justification. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina echoed these sentiments, stating that Senate Leader Mitch McConnell’s criticism of the proposal was insufficient. Tillis described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a ‘murderer, rapist, and assassin,’ arguing that the plan should not give Putin any sense of victory. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the proposal an ‘outrage,’ accusing Trump of being manipulated by Putin. Despite Putin’s endorsement of the plan as a potential basis for peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not outright reject it but insisted on fair treatment and pledged to work calmly with Washington and other partners. The Halifax International Security Forum, now in its 17th year, typically attracts military officials, diplomats, and scholars. However, this year, the Trump administration suspended the participation of U.S. defense officials in such events. The strained relations between the U.S. and Canada, exacerbated by Trump’s trade policies and controversial remarks, have led to a significant drop in Canadian tourism to the U.S., particularly in border states like New Hampshire.