During a recent meeting at the Oval Office, French President Emmanuel Macron aimed to present a unified European perspective to US President Donald Trump amidst waning transatlantic relations. Despite his intentions, Trump displayed little flexibility toward Macron’s views. Notably, during discussions concerning support for Ukraine, Macron felt compelled to interject when Trump misrepresented European assistance, asserting that Europe had financed 60 percent of the overall effort towards Ukraine. This moment highlighted the strained nature of their talks, characterized by Trump’s questionable assertions regarding the war.
Trump expressed a desire to strike a new deal concerning Ukraine’s mineral revenues and acknowledged a possible European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, which he had previously discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He indicated a willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to finalise arrangements that would allow the US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, asserting that progress was close. Despite these optimistic statements, Trump maintained that the Ukraine conflict could conclude within weeks and refrained from labeling Putin a dictator, in contrast to his criticisms of Zelensky.
Macron’s strategy for the day seemed deliberate; he spent considerable time with Trump through various engagements, including a virtual G7 meeting and a working lunch. Macron aimed to leverage a perceived rapport with Trump to advocate for Ukraine and consolidate support for European initiatives. He had previously remarked on Trump’s respect for him, suggesting a hope for constructive dialogue. However, Trump had made disparaging comments about the efforts of both Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resolve the war, despite acknowledging contributions from their nations.
In previous encounters, Macron had aimed to impress upon Trump the need for security guarantees for Ukraine post-conflict and the importance of the US projecting strength against Putin. Yet, with Trump’s recent rhetoric suggesting Ukraine instigated the war, European officials faced challenges in countering his misconceptions.
As they move forward, Macron and Starmer plan to strategically present a united front in their meetings with Trump, emphasizing Europe’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s security. Macron intends to remind Trump that appearing weak against Putin is not in line with his self-image. The coordination between Macron and Starmer hints at an effort to strengthen Europe’s stance and influence in negotiations for peace in the region, as they prepare for their respective discussions with Trump.