Macron got no promises on Ukraine but called his meeting with Trump a 'turning point'
President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of France's President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. Credit: AP/Ludovic Marin
French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Washington seeking to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to stand by Europe’s side in his talks with Russia about ending the war in Ukraine. As Macron left the White House, he called the meeting a “turning point” — yet Trump made no promises.
Macron was the first European leader to visit Trump since his reelection, aiming to capitalize on their relationship to urge Trump not to “be weak” in dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump’s recent statements that echo Putin’s narrative and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow have left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried. Following Monday's meeting, Macron praised Trump’s move towards Putin in an interview on Fox News, saying it may lead to a truce between Russia and Ukraine in the coming weeks.
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