Emmanuel Macron says that Europe wants to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine as the French president met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on the third anniversary of Russian invasion.
Macron spoke alongside Trump in his oval office on Monday, saying the “common purpose” was to build “solid, long-standing peace” in a war-torn country.
“We share the purpose of peace, but we are very aware of the need to have guarantees and solid peace to stabilize the situation,” the French president told reporters.
“This is a very important moment for Europe,” Macron added.
“I have discussed with all my colleagues and have been willing to Europe to become a stronger partner, and have done more to defend and security on the continent, … engaged in trade, economy, and trade, economy. ,investment.”
Macron’s visit to Washington, DC raises concerns in Europe about the future of transatlantic relations as Trump advances his “America First” foreign policy agenda and encourages a quick end to the Ukrainian war. It’s in the midst of things.
With the push by Republican leaders to launch negotiations between senior US and Russian diplomats without the participation of Ukrainian or European leaders, Europe has questioned Washington’s commitment to security.
Trump, who took office on January 20th, said on Monday that “many progress has been made” so far in his efforts to end the conflict.
“We had a very good conversation with Russia,” the US president told reporters.
“We’ve had some very good stories with others. We’re trying to see the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine. I think we’ve come a long way in a few short weeks.”
Improve tension
Macron and Trump met as criticism of Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelenkie, shook Europe.
Last week, Trump called Zelensky a “dictator” and suggested that Ukraine was blamed on the war despite Russia’s invasion of its neighbors in 2022.
He also dismissed a complaint that Ukraine and Europe were not included in the opening of US and Russia talks, and negotiated that Zelensky “no card, you’re tired of it.” He said there was.
Macron tried to coordinate Europe’s response to Washington’s sudden policy change, hoping to use the bonds he nurtured with Trump during his first term as US president from 2017 to 2021.
The French president previously said he would not show weakness to Trump during talks and Russian President Vladimir Putin during US-led negotiations to end the war, in the joint interests of Americans and Europeans. He said he was going to tell him.
In a report from Washington, D.C., Al Jazeera’s Alan Fischer said European leaders were not ultimately looking for a fast peace deal in Ukraine, but would ensure the stability of the country. .
“There’s concern that Trump wants to compete for this. [peace deal] And there is concern that it may mean that Ukraine’s sovereignty is being undermined,” Fischer said.
US national security adviser Mike Waltz told reporters Monday that both sides “hopefully talk about the security guarantees Macron has placed on the table.”
“Trump and Macron will also discuss the spiny issues of trade with the European Union when the US president threatens sweep tariffs on the bloc,” Waltz said.
European peacekeeping forces?
In the oval office, Macron said he was ready to provide security assurances to Ukraine, including peacekeeping forces, in the event of a ceasefire.
Trump said he supported the idea that Washington would send European peacekeeping forces. He added that he would raise the concept in Putin and that the Russian president would accept it.
Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow at the European Centre at the Atlantic Council, told Al Jazeera that the meeting between Trump and Macron shows the potential for real progress in the Ukrainian peace agreement.
The French president said, “Not only does it provide more for Europe’s strategic autonomy, but also has been making significant progress over the years in what Europe needs to do for Ukraine, not only to provide more for its own defense. I did,” Rizzo said.
That has made the meeting with Trump a promising, she added.
“It’s encouraging to hear Macron say that Europe is willing to potentially send peacekeeping forces, and it’s good to hear that Trump is happy to accept that.”
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