French President Emmanuel Macron recently visited Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to secure American support for Europe in discussions with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Macron characterized the meeting as a 'turning point,' although Trump did not make any commitments during their talks.
Macron urged Trump to remain steadfast in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and cautioned against appearing weak. Concerns have arisen among European allies and Ukrainian officials due to Trump's alignment with Putin's viewpoints and his plans for direct talks with Moscow.
Following their meeting, Macron commended Trump's approach towards Putin in an interview, suggesting that it could lead to a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the near future. However, Macron emphasized the need for any agreement with Russia to be substantial and subject to thorough assessment and verification.
During a joint news conference with Trump, Macron reiterated the importance of achieving peace promptly but stressed the necessity of a robust agreement. Macron's diplomatic efforts have included advocating for European involvement in negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Macron and Trump have maintained a close relationship since Macron assumed office in 2017, with frequent communication between the two leaders. Macron has previously taken bold diplomatic steps, such as considering the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine and facilitating meetings between key stakeholders.
During his visit to Washington, Macron pledged to increase French and European defense spending in response to Trump's demands. He also expressed support for Trump's initiative to secure access to Ukraine's mineral resources, viewing it as a means to ensure long-term U.S. backing for Ukraine's sovereignty.
While Trump indicated openness to the deployment of European security forces in Ukraine post-peace agreement, he refrained from making specific commitments regarding Ukraine's sovereignty or Europe's security.
