President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron convened in Washington, D.C., as Europe continues to advocate for sustained support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. In a joint press conference, Trump expressed his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be inclined to pursue a peaceful resolution to the war, stating, “I really believe that he wants to make a deal.” This assertion comes at a pivotal time, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Macron praised Trump for his commitment to collaborate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a rare minerals agreement, which aims to bolster security guarantees for Ukraine. He emphasized that any form of peace must respect Ukrainian sovereignty and should involve negotiations with various stakeholders, without leading to a surrender or a ceasefire devoid of guarantees. “This peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine,” Macron said.
The meeting aimed to ensure that Trump would remain supportive of Ukraine as he navigates potential peace negotiations with Putin. On the same day, the U.S. voted against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine, a move that surprised many European leaders and raised concerns about Washington’s shifting position on the conflict.
Despite these tensions, Trump expressed optimism about a potential resolution, suggesting that the war in Ukraine could conclude “within weeks.” He hinted at the possibility of welcoming Zelenskyy to the White House soon to finalize the minerals deal. During discussions, Trump conveyed that Putin had indicated acceptance of European peacekeepers in the event of a peace agreement, a statement that Macron also confirmed, clarifying that any deployment would be for peacekeeping only and not combat.
While their interactions were friendly, differences arose regarding the financial aspects of European assistance to Ukraine. Trump characterized Europe’s contributions as a loan, to which Macron contested, elaborating on the complexity and scale of financial support provided to Ukraine.
In the face of a challenging geopolitical landscape, these discussions between Trump and Macron underline the ongoing complexity of international relations concerning Ukraine. The combined efforts of the United States and European nations hold the potential for fostering peace and security in Eastern Europe, reinforcing hope for a resolution to the protracted conflict.