French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters Monday the high-stakes phone call that he and President Trump had with the leaders of the seven largest global economies went well.

“Perfect,” Mr. Macron shouted at reporters as he left the White House when asked about the call. 

He also described his conversation with Mr. Trump ahead of the call as “very good, very friendly.”

Mr. Macron is in Washington for a sit-down meeting with Mr. Trump about ending Russia’s war on Ukraine and developing a post-war path for the war-torn country. 

The visit kicked off with Mr. Macron and Mr. Trump participating in the video call with the so-called Group of Seven to discuss Ukraine’s future. Later on Monday, the two leaders will have a joint press conference. 

The call comes after Mr. Trump rattled Europe with his harsh criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mr. Trump blasted his Ukraine counterpart for failing to negotiate an end to the war, accused him of being an unpopular leader who owes his political survival to the U.S. “gravy train” of foreign aid, and suggested he started the war with Russia.

Mr. Trump also vented frustration that Mr. Zelenskyy has rebuffed a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth minerals, which have applications in the aerospace, medical and tech industries. 

European leaders were dismayed by the criticism of Mr. Zelenskyy as well the U.S. decision to engage in political talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian or European leaders at the table. 

Mr. Trump has dismissed criticism from European leaders, saying that Ukraine has been negotiating “with no cards.” 

Another clash is set to occur at the United Nations on Monday after the U.S. proposed a resolution to end the war, but does not include the demand from Ukraine and European officials calling for Moscow’s forces to immediately withdraw from the country. 

Prior to leaving for the U.S., Mr. Macron said he plans to tell Mr. Trump that it is in the joint interest of Americans and Europeans not to show weakness to Russian President Vladimir Putin during negotiations to end the war. He also suggested that he will make the case to Mr. Trump that the U.S.’s dealings with Mr. Putin could have enormous ramifications for the U.S.’s dealings with China. 

Ahead of the meeting, Mr. Macron posted on social media that he intends to tell Trump, “You can’t be weak in the face of President Putin. It’s not you. It’s not in your interest. How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?”

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.