Emmanuel Macron has emphasized Europe’s desire to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Speaking alongside Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, Macron stated that their “common objective” is to build “a solid and longstanding peace” in the war-torn country. He highlighted the importance of having guarantees for a stable peace and emphasized that this is a pivotal moment for Europe.
Macron, who traveled to Washington, D.C., amid growing concerns in Europe about the future of transatlantic relations, stressed Europe’s willingness to take on a stronger role in defense, security, trade, and investments. His visit comes as Trump promotes his “America First” foreign policy agenda and pushes for a swift resolution to the Ukraine war. However, Trump’s efforts to initiate negotiations between U.S. and Russian diplomats without involving Ukrainian or European leaders have raised tensions, with Europe questioning Washington’s commitment to its security.
Trump, who assumed office on January 20, claimed that significant progress had been made toward ending the conflict. He mentioned having productive talks with Russia and other parties, expressing optimism about bringing the war to a close. However, Trump’s repeated criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including labeling him a “dictator” and suggesting Ukraine is to blame for the war, have further strained relations with Europe.
Macron has sought to coordinate a unified European response to Washington’s abrupt policy shifts, leveraging his relationship with Trump from the latter’s first term. He aimed to convey to Trump the importance of not showing weakness to Russian President Vladimir Putin during negotiations. Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher reported from Washington that European leaders are wary of a rushed peace deal that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
During their meeting, Macron proposed that Europe could provide security guarantees to Ukraine, including deploying peacekeepers in the event of a ceasefire. Trump supported the idea and mentioned discussing it with Putin, who reportedly would accept such a move. Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, noted that Macron’s proactive approach on European strategic autonomy and support for Ukraine makes this meeting promising. She found it encouraging that both leaders expressed openness to the idea of European peacekeepers.
The discussions also touched on the contentious issue of trade between the U.S. and the European Union, with Trump threatening to impose sweeping tariffs on the bloc. Macron’s visit underscores Europe’s efforts to navigate the challenges posed by Trump’s foreign policy while advocating for a stable and lasting peace in Ukraine.
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