PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has announced his plans to communicate with U.S. President Donald Trump about the importance of strength in dealing with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, particularly as talks led by the United States aim to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine that has persisted for nearly three years.
Macron is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, as confirmed by the White House.
During a social media question-and-answer session, Macron expressed his intention to convey a strong message to Trump: “You cannot exhibit weakness in the face of President Putin. That is not your identity, nor is it in your own interest. How can you maintain credibility regarding China if you show weakness toward Putin?”
Concerns among European allies and Ukrainian officials have grown due to Trump’s recent remarks that align with Russian perspectives, along with his intentions to engage in direct negotiations with Moscow. However, Macron suggested that Trump’s approach, which aims to create an atmosphere of “uncertainty” in the discussions with Russia, might actually empower Western allies in these negotiations.
He noted, “Putin is unsure of how Trump will act; he perceives Trump as unpredictable. This uncertainty works in our favor as well as that of Ukraine.”
In his discourse, Macron emphasized the alignment of U.S. and European interests, insisting that allowing Russia to take control of Ukraine would set a worrying precedent that could lead to further actions. “If you permit Russia to dominate Ukraine, there’s no stopping it,” he warned.
Macron reiterated that any peace discussions must include both Ukrainian and European representatives. He pointed out, “We seek peace. However, we do not want a ceasefire that results in Ukrainian capitulation, as that could be perilous. History has shown us the consequences of this.”
The French leader also indicated his willingness to respond affirmatively to Trump’s suggestion regarding increasing defense expenditures, stating, “We, the Europeans, must escalate our military contributions.”
When asked about the possibility of deploying French troops to Ukraine, he clarified that the intention would not be to send soldiers for combat purposes but rather to establish a security force designed to provide “guarantees” once a peace agreement is finalized. He concluded, “We do not dismiss the prospect of having forces that could help ensure Ukraine’s security once peace is negotiated, within a structure planned alongside our allies.”
