With diplomacy regarding the war in Ukraine becoming increasingly fragmented, French President Emmanuel Macron met with senior American officials on Thursday to maintain the appearance of a united front.
During a working lunch with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s envoy, Macron addressed “peace negotiations aimed at ending the Russian aggression in Ukraine,” according to a statement from the French presidency.
This phrasing may not align with the Trump administration's perspective, which has attributed blame to Ukraine for Russia’s invasion and criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for perceived ingratitude. The administration has also aligned itself with nations like North Korea in opposing a UN resolution condemning Russia.
The ideological rift between Europe and the United States appears to be widening, as the Trump administration shifts its stance from supporting Western democracies to favoring authoritarian regimes. Despite these tensions, the administration reportedly seeks European assistance in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
A subsequent statement from the French presidency noted that the meeting “illustrated the regular dialogue between France and the United States on major international issues to secure stability and preserve multilateral cooperation,” but provided limited information regarding Ukraine.
Macron and Trump maintain regular communication, often through informal phone calls. Their relationship has been characterized as cooperative yet occasionally strained throughout Trump’s presidency.
Prior to the lunch, Macron spoke with Zelensky, who emphasized the need for “pressure” on the Kremlin to “end the war and guarantee a durable peace.”
Witkoff, who recently held discussions in Moscow with President Putin, expressed a desire to build a “friendship, a relationship” with the Russian leader. Trump views this approach as essential for achieving a cease-fire, followed by peace negotiations.
However, Trump’s diplomatic efforts appear stalled, coinciding with Europe’s increased political and military support for Ukraine. Russian bombardments continue, with reports indicating civilian casualties from drone attacks.
German defense minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged the difficulty of achieving peace in Ukraine in the near future due to ongoing Russian aggression and raised concerns about the longevity of U.S. support for Ukraine.
In contrast, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the United States as a “reliable partner” during her visit to Washington, highlighting differing perspectives among European leaders regarding Trump.
Trump stated his goal is to halt the war and protect lives, although there is a growing perception in Europe that the U.S. under Trump should be regarded as an adversary. Recent remarks from Trump and his officials have further strained relations, labeling Europe in derogatory terms.
Bruno Fuchs, a centrist lawmaker in France, expressed concern about the ideological divide, suggesting that Europe now faces two adversaries: Russia and the United States.
A Ukrainian delegation arrived in Paris to discuss achieving a complete cease-fire and the potential involvement of a multinational military contingent to ensure lasting peace. However, the proposal for an international military presence has faced significant resistance from Moscow and hesitance among European nations.
Following the lunch, Rubio and Witkoff continued discussions with French and Ukrainian officials, as well as with British and German national security advisers, aiming to align strategies for ending the war, which has persisted for over three years. They were also expected to address Trump’s attempts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran.