President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the White House to discuss the war in Ukraine, which has now entered its third year. Mr. Trump made several optimistic claims about progress toward ending the conflict, including assertions that a ceasefire was approaching and that Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine, despite Russia’s statements to the contrary.
Mr. Trump predicted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would soon visit Washington to sign a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral deposits. Mr. Macron emphasized that any peace must not mean Ukraine’s surrender, stating it “must allow for Ukrainian sovereignty.”
The meeting comes after Mr. Trump initiated direct talks with Mr. Putin and allowed U.S.-Russian discussions in Saudi Arabia without Ukraine’s participation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to visit the White House later this week for additional Ukraine discussions.
European leaders have expressed concerns about Mr. Trump’s approach, particularly suggestions that Ukraine should cede territory and abandon NATO aspirations. At the United Nations, the U.S. joined Russia in voting against a European-backed Ukrainian resolution condemning Moscow’s aggression, highlighting potential diplomatic tensions.
Despite the show of friendship between Mr. Trump and Mr. Macron, disagreements emerged. Mr. Trump insisted Europe must bear more responsibility for Ukraine’s security in any ceasefire arrangement.
Mr. Macron contested Mr. Trump’s criticism that Europe hasn’t provided enough aid, claiming Europe paid “60% of the total defaults” while providing “real money.”
Mr. Trump has pursued compensation for U.S. aid to Ukraine through access to the country’s mining sector, which contains minerals valuable to American aerospace, medical and tech industries.
Mr. Zelenskyy rejected Trump’s initial proposal, saying it lacked security guarantees for Ukraine.
The negotiations are further complicated by personal tensions between Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelenskyy. Mr. Trump has called the Ukrainian president a “dictator” and accused Ukraine of starting the war, while Mr. Zelenskyy has suggested the U.S. president is influenced by Russian disinformation.
As the war continues, Ukraine has lost approximately a fifth of its territory and an estimated 43,000 soldiers and civilians since fighting began in February 2022.
Read more: Trump says war in Ukraine nearing endgame as Macron airs European fears
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