French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he plans to inform U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States and Europe share a common interest in not appearing "weak" in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin during negotiations led by the U.S. aimed at ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine. Macron believes that taking a firm stance against Russia is in the shared interests of both the U.S. and Europe, solidifying their strategic alliance.
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02-22, 2025The White House announced that Macron will travel to Washington on Monday to meet with Trump. This meeting comes at a critical moment in the Ukrainian crisis, and the two leaders are expected to hold in-depth discussions on the situation in Ukraine, strategies toward Russia, and transatlantic relations. The agenda reflects the urgency and complexity of the geopolitical landscape.
During a social media Q&A session on Thursday, Macron said he would tell Trump: "You cannot be weak with President Putin. It's not your style, and it's not in your interest. If you are weak with Putin, how can you be credible with China?" Macron is attempting to persuade Trump that a strong stance against Russia is not only about Ukraine but also about America's influence on a global scale. This highlights the interconnectedness of international relations.
Previously, Trump made some remarks similar to Putin's rhetoric and planned to hold direct negotiations with Moscow, which raised concerns among European allies and Ukrainian officials. However, Macron suggested that Trump's strategy of creating "uncertainty" in negotiations with Russia may actually make Western allies stronger in negotiations. Macron believes that Trump's unpredictability may actually benefit the West in certain scenarios.
Macron emphasized that he will strive to convince Trump that the interests of the United States and Europe are aligned, telling him: "If you let Russia occupy Ukraine, that will be unstoppable." This means that any peace agreement must be negotiated with the Ukrainians and the Europeans. Macron made it clear that peace talks must include the voices of Ukraine and Europe to ensure the fairness and sustainability of the final agreement.
Macron also stated that he is prepared to respond to Trump's call for increased defense spending. "We Europeans must strengthen our war efforts," he said. Regarding the question of whether to consider sending French troops to Ukraine, he stated that he would not send soldiers to fight in Ukraine, but rather as part of a security force aimed at providing "guarantees" after a peace agreement is reached. Macron emphasized that France will continue to support Ukraine but will not directly send troops to participate in the war, instead focusing on resolving the crisis through diplomatic means.
"We do not rule out, within the framework of plans with our allies, the possibility of having a force that, once peace negotiations are reached, can contribute to guaranteeing Ukraine's security," he said. This indicates that France is considering playing a role in the future security guarantees of Ukraine, but the specific form still needs to be determined in consultation with allies. This reflects a commitment to long-term stability in the region.
