President Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed differing views on the Ukraine war during a meeting at the White House on Monday. The discussions highlighted the growing divide between the United States and Europe regarding the conflict, particularly in relation to accountability for the Russian invasion and the level of support provided to Ukraine.
As the meeting coincided with the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, President Trump refrained from labeling Russian President Vladimir V. Putin as a dictator and incorrectly asserted that U.S. spending on the war far exceeded European contributions. In contrast, President Macron emphasized that Russia was solely responsible for the war and corrected Trump's claims regarding European financial aid.
Trump suggested the possibility of visiting Moscow if a peace deal is reached, a move that would mark the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to Russia in over a decade. This visit could be perceived as advantageous for Putin, who is currently facing an international arrest warrant for war crimes.
The meeting took place amid rising tensions concerning the future of the Atlantic alliance and ongoing peace negotiations with Russia, which have increasingly marginalized Ukrainian and European leaders. Macron has been actively engaging with European leaders to develop a cohesive strategy, reacting to what appears to be a U.S. shift in focus from Europe to Russia.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump reiterated his controversial stance that Ukraine instigated the war and described Ukrainian President Zelensky as a “dictator without elections.” In contrast, Macron reaffirmed the widely held view that Russia is the aggressor in the conflict, stating, “This is a responsibility of Russia because the aggressor is Russia.”
Trump also repeated the inaccurate claim that the U.S. had spent $350 billion on Ukraine, contrasting it with Europe's alleged $100 billion contribution. However, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy reports that Europe has allocated $138 billion compared to the U.S. total of $119 billion. Furthermore, Trump mischaracterized European aid as loans that would be repaid, to which Macron responded by clarifying that Europe has provided real financial assistance, including grants and loan guarantees.
While Trump expressed optimism that his discussions with Putin could lead to a resolution within weeks, he stressed his expectation for Ukraine to cede substantial mineral rights in exchange for U.S. military aid, a condition that Zelensky has resisted. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators were nearing an agreement.
Trump's return to power has strained relations with European allies, as he has threatened tariffs on their goods and demanded increased military spending. Tensions escalated following Vice President JD Vance's remarks in Munich, suggesting that the primary security threat to Europe stems from internal political and cultural policies rather than external threats like Russia or China.
In light of these developments, Macron has convened meetings with European leaders to devise a strategy for addressing an unpredictable U.S. ally, hoping to strengthen Trump's position in negotiations regarding Ukraine.
The history between Trump and Macron is complex, marked by moments of camaraderie and tension. Their recent meeting included gestures of friendly competition, reminiscent of past interactions during Trump's first term.