During their conference at the White House, French President Emmanuel Macron immediately challenged US President Donald Trump, refuting Trump’s claim that Western countries were only lending money to Ukraine more than providing significant financial aid. During the conference, Macron firmly corrected Trump’s claim that Western nations would ultimately be reimbursed for their efforts.
” No, in truth, to be frank, we paid”, Macron insisted. ” We paid 60 % of the total efforts, and it was through grants, not loans. We provided true income”. He emphasized that Europe had frozen Russian assets for about$ 30 billion, clarifying that these were not being used as security but was subsequently be included in a negotiation with Russia.
Trump, who appeared undeterred, responded,” It’s fine with me, but they get their money up. We don’t, and presently we do”.
The change highlighted wider disputes between Trump and Western leaders regarding how to approach Ukraine. Trump has stated that he wants a quick resolution to the conflict, but Macron has remained strong that any peace deal must not compromise Russian independence.
” This tranquility may not think a retreat of Ukraine”, Macron said at a joint press conference. ” It must not think a peace without assures”.
Trump, in contrast, asserted that he was making progress in negotiating a deal that would allow Ukraine to give the US access to its crucial minerals, which he claimed would help pay back some of the$ 80 billion in American aid that has been provided since the war started. He even suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, may make a quick trip to Washington to finalize the deal.
Trump’s international policy view has attracted the attention of Western leaders, especially his refusal to directly attribute the invasion to Russia. After Western countries pressed Moscow to be cited as the aggressor, the US abstained from voting on a resolution condemning Russia at the UN. Macron warned against any hints of frailty toward Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his conference with Trump.
In his words,” It’s in the interests of Americans and Europeans to not be weak in the face of President Putin.” How can you then become reliable in the face of China if you’re unimpressed with Putin?
Trump, however, has been outspoken about his opinion that Putin is open to negotiating a solution. ” I really believe he wants to make a deal”, Trump said. ” I may be bad, but I believe he wants to make a deal”.
