Macron Hails ‘Turning Point’ on Ukraine but Fails to Secure Trump Commitment
French President Emmanuel Macron has described a “turning point” in efforts to influence Donald Trump on Ukraine, though he was unable to secure a firm commitment from the US president regarding European troop deployments to deter Russia in any postwar settlement.
Macron’s visit to the White House on Monday marked the first of two high-profile European diplomatic efforts in Washington this week, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer set to follow on Thursday. Starmer will push for clearer assurances from Trump regarding US support for a European-led security plan in Ukraine.
European Efforts for Postwar Security
Macron, along with Starmer and other European leaders, is advancing a proposal to ensure Ukraine’s security after the war. Their plan includes a potential “reassurance force” primarily relying on air power, with European nations taking the lead but seeking logistical and intelligence support from the US. The French and British leaders coordinated their approach during a phone call on Sunday, according to French officials.
“There are Europeans ready to engage in providing security guarantees,” Macron said after his meeting with Trump. “Now there’s a clear American message that the US, as an ally, is ready to provide solidarity for that approach. That is a turning point in my view.”
Paris, London, and other European capitals have expressed willingness to shoulder much of the postwar security burden in Ukraine but acknowledge their limitations. As a result, they are seeking US backing to ensure the success of their mission—what both Macron and Starmer have referred to as an American “backstop.”
Trump’s Position Remains Unclear
Speaking at the White House, Macron suggested that Trump had agreed to support this effort. However, Trump’s own remarks were less definitive. When asked about US backing for European troop deployments, he responded, “We will have a backing of some kind. Obviously, European countries are going to be involved.” However, he quickly added that he did not believe they would “need much backing” since he trusted Russia to honor any agreement.
A French official later confirmed that discussions on the exact nature of US support were still in preliminary stages and that no definitive agreement had been reached. However, the official noted that Trump had not objected to providing security guarantees.
In a surprising statement, Trump claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had privately signaled he would accept European troops in Ukraine. “I’ve specifically asked him that question, and he has no problem with it,” Trump said. The Kremlin, however, quickly denied this assertion.
Concerns Over a Trump-Putin Deal
The European diplomatic push comes amid growing concerns that Trump might negotiate a ceasefire deal with Putin that favors Russia. These fears were heightened on Monday—the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—when the US declined to label Moscow as the aggressor in a UN vote, siding with Russia’s position.
Much of Macron’s discussions with Trump reportedly focused on preventing a repeat of the failed Minsk accords, where Russia did not honor its commitments to cease hostilities in eastern Ukraine. European leaders also worry that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being sidelined in behind-the-scenes negotiations between Washington and Moscow. Trump has previously described Zelenskyy as a “dictator” while refraining from similar language about Putin.
Macron’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
During his visit, Macron carefully avoided any direct criticism of Trump, instead maintaining a cordial and engaging tone. He even joked with the US president and gave him a warm farewell embrace. However, Macron also took the opportunity to correct Trump’s misleading claims—publicly refuting Trump’s assertion that the US had provided significantly more aid to Ukraine than Europe and clarifying that not all support had come in the form of loans.
Michel Duclos, a former diplomat and expert at the Institut Montaigne in Paris, viewed the visit as a success in terms of Macron’s strategy. “His approach was to avoid provoking Trump while persuading him to back a European-led peace plan,” Duclos said. “Progress was made, even if Trump remained elusive.”
While European diplomats largely approved of Macron’s performance, some privately voiced concerns that the French president might be overestimating Trump’s willingness to engage with their proposals. “He played it well—polite, amicable, but also willing to challenge false narratives on Ukraine,” one diplomat observed.
Others, however, worried that Macron might be too receptive to Trump’s ideas on Ukraine. “He seems to think he can steer Trump in the right direction,” a second diplomat cautioned.
Meanwhile, Estonia’s President Alar Karis highlighted divisions among European nations on the troop deployment issue. “Some countries are ready, some are not,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the transatlantic alliance for European security.
With Starmer’s visit to Washington imminent, European leaders remain focused on securing US backing for their security vision in Ukraine. However, whether Trump will fully commit to their proposals remains uncertain.
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