Jean Asselborn weighs in on Gaza, Ukraine, and US democracy

In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Saturday, former long-serving Luxembourgish Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn shared his views on the current global geopolitical climate, describing it as a reality the world must "look straight in the eye" and come to terms with.

On the Middle East: A two-state solution as the only path

On the conflict in Gaza, Asselborn reiterated his clear stance that a two-state solution, while often considered a "worn-out" phrase, remains the only viable path to peace. He stated that a future Palestinian state would need to comprise "Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank."

He argued that the United Nations must now initiate a solution that excludes Hamas, while also emphasising the need to distinguish between the state of Israel and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Criticism of the current Israeli government's policies, particularly concerning settlements in the West Bank, should not be automatically labelled as antisemitism, he said.

Asselborn also credited former US President Donald Trump, whom he said he was glad did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize, for his diplomatic pressure on Israel. He pointed to the 20-point plan put forward by the Trump administration, which he said incorporated significant input from Gulf states.

On Ukraine: A conflict with "no light at the end of the tunnel"

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Asselborn expressed concern over further escalation, specifically warning against the use of Tomahawk long-range missiles. He suggested that the only figure who could potentially mediate in the conflict is also US President Trump, though he conceded that he currently sees "no light at the end of the tunnel."

While he stated that the European Union is not institutionally equipped to stop wars, he defended its support for Ukraine, pointing to the €185 billion in aid provided. He also highlighted Ukraine's ongoing EU accession talks as a "glimmer of hope," noting that membership in NATO is unlikely in the near future.

France: Political instability poses an EU-wide problem

Asselborn identified the political instability in France as a significant problem for the entire European Union, stressing that the French must find a way to resolve it. He emphasised France's role as the EU's second-largest economy, warning that the current chaos primarily benefits one party: the far-right Rassemblement National (RN). He further cautioned that if the situation persists, the RN could have a significant chance of winning the presidency in 2027, or perhaps even sooner.

According to the former minister, an RN victory would mark "the end of the EU as we have known it," as the fundamental Franco-German partnership would become obsolete. He stated that the immediate priority is for French politicians to agree on a budget, noting a high probability of a no-confidence motion if the contentious pension reform proceeds. In such a scenario, he suggested, there would be immense pressure on President Emmanuel Macron to resign.

USA: MAGA movement "destroying democracy"

Shifting focus to the United States, Asselborn described the MAGA philosophy's "egoism" as difficult to bear and accused it of "destroying the rule of law." He expressed deep concern over President Trump's actions, including his disregard for court rulings in domestic politics. Asselborn warned that the erosion of democracy in the US, which he called the "oldest democracy in the world," would inevitably have spillover effects in Europe.

He cited Trump's recent tariffs on Brazil – announced in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who faced legal proceedings for an attempted coup – as an example of this problematic approach. Asselborn called the tariff announcement "medieval".

On the EU's response to such US trade policies, Asselborn said the European Commission must carefully weigh how far it is willing to go. He concluded with a broader global observation, stating, "There has never been so little democracy as there is at the moment," adding that globally, "The power of the law has been replaced by the law of power."

Biography: Refugee crisis remembered as "the greatest challenge"

Reflecting on his 40-year career in politics, as detailed in a new biography by journalist Michel Merten, Asselborn acknowledged the inevitable impact on family life. He noted that politicians cannot strictly set their own agenda but must instead respond to issues as they arise, a reality which, he admitted, inevitably takes a toll at home.

When asked to identify his greatest challenge, the former minister pointed to the refugee crisis. While he conceded that many aspects of the response can be criticised, he stated he is unsure if he would have acted differently with the information available at the time.

Asselborn did, however, point to a specific area of personal failure: the capacity of refugee facilities in Luxembourg. He admitted to not having insisted strongly enough on the need for more infrastructure. In hindsight, he said, he would have applied greater pressure on the matter.