Washington: French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized Europe’s commitment to establishing a durable peace in Ukraine, as he met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Speaking alongside Trump, Macron stressed the shared goal of achieving a “solid and lasting peace” in Ukraine, but highlighted the need for strong security guarantees to ensure stability. “This is a crucial time for Europe,” Macron said, adding that European nations are prepared to strengthen their role in defense, security, and economic cooperation.
Macron’s visit comes at a time of mounting concern in Europe over Trump’s “America First” foreign policy and his push for swift negotiations with Russia—talks that notably exclude Ukraine and European partners. This approach has raised questions in Europe about the United States’ commitment to their security.
Trump, who began his second term on January 20, claimed “significant progress” had been made toward ending the conflict. At a joint press conference later, Trump underscored his belief that Europe must take primary responsibility for Ukraine’s long-term security. “The cost and burden of securing peace should not fall solely on the United States,” he said.
Earlier this month, tensions have escalated following Trump’s repeated criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump recently labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator” and appeared to blame Ukraine for the war — remarks that have unsettled European leaders.
Macron has sought to unify Europe’s response to Washington’s evolving position, hoping to leverage his previous rapport with Trump. The French president also warned against showing any signs of weakness to Russian President Vladimir Putin during negotiations.
“There’s a good reason for President Trump to re-engage with President Putin,” Macron acknowledged, but insisted that any peace deal must come with robust security guarantees. “Strength and deterrence are the only ways to ensure respect for such an agreement,” he stated.
Discussions between the two leaders also touched on European security contributions, with Macron expressing Europe’s readiness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, including the deployment of peacekeeping forces if a ceasefire is reached. Trump signaled his support for the idea and claimed Putin was open to it as well.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed that security guarantees were a key part of the talks and noted that broader trade issues between the U.S. and the European Union were also on the agenda. Trump has previously threatened heavy tariffs on EU goods, adding another layer of complexity to transatlantic relations.
