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French President Emmanuel Macron met with President Donald Trump on Monday (February 24) to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting, held in Washington, D.C., marked the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two leaders participated in a videoconference with other G7 members before engaging in a bilateral discussion and a working lunch.
The primary focus of their talks was the conflict in Ukraine and the strategic cooperation between France and the United States. Macron emphasized the importance of achieving a strong and lasting peace, one that does not involve Ukraine's capitulation or a ceasefire without guarantees. He stressed the necessity of security assurances to ensure Russia keeps its commitments, citing his own conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Macron stated, "We want peace, peace swiftly, but we don’t want an agreement that is weak" as reported by CNN.
President Trump, however, focused on his negotiating skills and expressed confidence in reaching a deal. He mentioned ongoing discussions with Putin and his intent to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky soon to finalize a deal that would allow U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral revenues. Trump also voiced openness to a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, a plan he is expected to discuss further with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer later this week.
Despite their differences, the two leaders appeared friendly during the meeting, exchanging kind words and smiles. Macron praised Trump for the swift rebuilding of Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. However, tensions arose when Macron corrected Trump on the nature of European support for Ukraine, emphasizing that Europe had contributed significantly to the effort.
The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing optimism about the discussions, with Macron describing the talks as "perfect" according to the French Embassy in the United States. The leaders' discussions are expected to continue as they work towards a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.