Macron visits Trump: “Achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible”

Washington taz | The government of US President Donald Trump has in recent weeks called the future of the transatlantic relationship into question with its statements and solo actions. The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Washington on the third anniversary of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was therefore eagerly awaited. But anyone expecting a verbal exchange was disappointed. Macron and Trump presented a fairly united front in their joint appearances. Both actors agreed that the war in Ukraine must finally come to an end.

"Our focus is to achieve a ceasefire and ultimately lasting peace as quickly as possible. My meeting with President Macron was a very important step forward," Trump said during a joint press conference at the White House on Monday.

He also claimed that the war in Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022 , "would never have started if he had been president." Moreover, he and his administration have already done more for peace in Ukraine since taking office just over a month ago than they have in the past three years.

His criticism of his predecessor Joe Biden also includes the fact that he sent billions of American taxpayers' money to Kyiv without receiving anything in return. He claimed that the US had so far spent more than 300 billion dollars to support Ukraine. Official government figures put the figure at 183 billion dollars.

"President Macron agrees with me that the costs and burdens of peace in Ukraine must be borne by European countries and not by the United States alone," Trump said. According to the US president, Europe must take the lead in guaranteeing Ukraine's security in the long term. Macron agreed and stated that Europe as a whole must take more responsibility for its own security and defense. He also stated that Ukraine's security is an existential issue for Europe.

He stressed: "Mr President, dear Donald, the principle of peace through strength that you believe in is also what we believe in." And he explained: "We want peace. But that must not mean the capitulation of Ukraine. This peace cannot be a ceasefire without guarantees." It must enable Ukraine "to negotiate everything that concerns it and on which it is the only legitimate negotiating authority," said Macron.

Macron did not address the fact that Europe will not be at the table for the announced peace talks between the US and Russia. However, the French president said that he welcomes it when heads of state seek dialogue - especially when they have different opinions.

During a video conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the G7 members assured the Ukrainian people of their continued support. Trump, who just last week called Zelensky a dictator and blamed Ukraine for the war, spoke, in contrast, about the raw materials agreement between the US and Ukraine that he had called for.

At the meeting between Macron and Trump, the French head of state contradicted the US president only once: when he claimed that all European aid to Ukraine was merely loans that had to be repaid.

Another important transatlantic head of state, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is expected in Washington on Thursday.