Analysis: Macron echoes Trump on Ukraine peace, but disagreements remain

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump tried out a new persona on Monday during high-stakes meetings with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron: peacemaker.

The U.S. leader has started his second term threatening to acquire territory, and not ruling out using military force to do so. He also has proposed taking ownership of the Gaza Strip and making Canada the 51st state.

But on Monday, Trump and Macron were narrowly focused on ending the war in Ukraine, Europe’s most deadly conflict in decades. The “America first” commander in chief even suggested it would be up to European security forces to patrol post-war Ukraine. Macron didn’t close the door on sending French troops for “peaceful deployments of troops, not for combat,” adding that other European leaders have told him they would do the same.

“We’re going to help Ukraine like we’ve never helped Ukraine before,” Trump said, seated alongside Macron in the Oval Office on Monday afternoon. “This has been a horrible, bloody mess, and we’ve got to get it solved. … It could lead to World War III if it’s not solved.”

Macron arrived at the White House first for a virtual G7 meeting in the morning and then an afternoon session that featured meetings with Trump and a joint news conference.

His visit also came as Trump has raised concerns among European leaders and congressional Democrats by blaming Ukraine for Russia’s invasion and declaring that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should not be allowed to attend meetings about a possible peace pact.

“If one assesses and responds to the current moment in the wrong ways, as the United States did after World War I, the consequences could be equally devastating. In that case, what followed was the spread of fascism, the Holocaust, and World War II,” Frederick Kempe, president of the Atlantic Council, wrote last week. “Trump does have an opportunity to cement his place in history and preserve the hard-won gains of the post-World War II era. But his next steps are crucial.”

Here are three takeaways from Macron’s first White House visit since Trump began his second term.

‘Not an easy thing’

Macron, now a veteran of global diplomacy and dealing directly with Trump, was careful to focus on what they agreed on: ending the war in Ukraine. The U.S. leader called Macron by his first name and dubbed him a “friend.” Minutes later, during their joint news conference in the East Room, Macron referred to his counterpart as “Dear Donald” and joined Trump’s decade-old call for Europe to “do more” for its security.

But differences weren’t far beneath the surface of their public sessions Monday.

For instance, Macron was mum on topics like how much of its territory Ukraine might have to allow Russia to keep. He mostly left that talk to Trump, who said forcing Russia to give back land was “not an easy thing to do.” And Trump, under questioning in the Oval Office, opted against calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a dictator.

Hours later, Macron said Trump was correct to engage Putin but also warned that the Russian leader has ignored promises made in negotiations before. Asked why he thinks he can trust Putin this time, Trump said it was “very much to the benefit” of Russia to “make a deal.”

Additionally, the two leaders openly disagreed at one point about Trump’s claim that Europe is being reimbursed for its aid to Ukraine. (More on that below.)

Attempting to stay in line with Trump’s Ukraine aims, Macron posted on social media last week: “The position of France and its allies is clear and united. We wish for peace in Ukraine that is lasting.” He repeated that sentiment multiple times Monday, including calling for “peace, as soon as possible.”

Trump officials want any peace pact to include major contributions from France and other European countries, as the administration made clear Monday.

“One of the things that we fully support is both France and the United Kingdom and other Europeans saying they would be willing to enter into very strong security guarantees for the future of Ukraine,” White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said Monday morning on Fox News.

“That’s one that we are encouraged by because … we’ve been asking for years for Europe to step up for its own defense, and we’ve been asking for years for Europe to pay for its own defense as the U.S. taxpayer has been taking an unfair burden.”

Got beef?

The two sides on Monday clearly wanted to highlight areas of agreement and their shared goal of bringing the European conflict to an end.

But, as is often the case with the business-minded Trump, money and the terms of their respective arrangements with Ukraine surfaced.

In the Oval Office, with reporters from both nations present, Macron lightly touched Trump’s arm to interject after the U.S. president said European nations would get back the money they had loaned Ukraine. “No, in fact, to be frank, we paid 60 percent of the total effort. Like the U.S., loans, guarantees and grants,” Macron said.

Trump shook his head and replied, “If you believe that, it’s OK with me. But they get their money back.” It was a telling moment as a key diplomatic disagreement sizzled in public.

Later, during their news conference, Trump called the American and European totals in Ukrainian aid — he put it at $350 billion (U.S.) to $100 billion (Europe) — a “big difference” that might “have to equalize” should peace talks fail.

“My whole life,” Trump said, “is deals.”

‘Very special man’

In terms of managing his relationship with Trump, Macron stands out among European leaders. For one, the French president was in office during Trump’s first term, so he has experience with the mercurial U.S. leader. What’s more, Macron has worked to develop a personal rapport with Trump.

Asked after the Monday morning session about his welcome by his American counterpart, who has seemingly been in a Euro-skeptic mood since returning to office, Macron told reporters it was “very good, very friendly.” French officials who briefed reporters before the leaders’ meetings said Macron has pushed for regular contacts since Trump’s November victory, adding that the duo have developed a “unique relationship.”

With Trump, foreign affairs and relations with America’s friends and foes often boils down to how he feels about other world leaders.

“President Macron is a very special man in my book,” the U.S. president said in the Oval Office after the two exchanged laughs, a long handshake and shoulder slaps after the French president arrived for the afternoon agenda.

Macron’s visit came as his country remains mostly popular among American voters of all political stripes.

Recent Gallup data showed 87 percent of Democrats had very or mostly favorable views of France, compared with 75% of Republicans and 72% of independents. That was much higher than views of Russia — just 4% of Democrats reported holding a positive view, along with 21% of Republicans and 24% of independents.

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