French President Emmanuel Macron met with former US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, February 24. Their discussions revealed major differences in their approach to the Russia-Ukraine war, though both insisted on wanting peace.
Opposing Views on Ukraine Peace Deal
Macron stressed that peace in Ukraine must include security guarantees. He said, “This peace must not mean a surrender of Ukraine. It must not mean a ceasefire without guarantees.” Meanwhile, Trump pushed for an immediate ceasefire but did not insist on long-term security measures.
Both leaders disagreed on territorial concessions. Macron warned that European security depends on Ukraine’s stability. He said, “We live just 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine, and the Germans and Polish are even closer.” However, Trump said forcing Russia to return land is “not an easy thing to do.”
Heated Exchange Over European Aid
Tensions rose when Macron corrected Trump on European financial support for Ukraine. Trump claimed, “Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They’re getting their money back.” Macron quickly interrupted, grabbed Trump’s arm, and said, “No, in fact, to be frank, we paid. We paid 60 percent of the total effort.” Trump smirked and responded, “If you believe that, it’s okay with me.”
Agreement on Peacekeeping Forces
Despite disagreements, they found common ground on European peacekeeping forces. Macron suggested that once peace is reached, European troops could oversee stability. He clarified, “They would not be along the front lines. They would not be part of any conflict. They would be there to ensure that the peace is respected.” Trump agreed and claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept this plan. “Yeah, he will accept that,” Trump said. “I specifically asked him that question. He has no problem with it.”
A Display of Friendship
While policy differences were clear, both leaders showed warmth in their interactions. They shook hands, hugged, and exchanged compliments. Macron repeatedly referred to Trump as “Dear Donald” and thanked him several times. Trump, in return, called Macron “a smart customer” and patted his arm. British journalist Piers Morgan noted, “No world leader handles Trump as well as Macron. Friendly but firm, respectful but not afraid to stand up to him.”
Uncertain Future
This meeting happened amid a shifting global stance on Ukraine. Recently, the US opposed a European-backed UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion but supported a separate resolution calling for peace without criticizing Russia. Later this week, Trump is set to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Meanwhile, he continues to criticize Ukraine, calling President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” and pushing for elections in the war-torn country.
