In a joint press conference following their meeting on Monday, U.S President, Donald Trump and French President, Emmanuel Macron highlighted their shared objective of achieving peace in Ukraine as swiftly as possible.
Trump described the ongoing conflict as a “truly horrific war”, one of the most devastating seen on European soil since World War II. He expressed his belief that such a war would not have occurred had he been in office.
The U.S. president emphasized that the primary aim of the meeting was to bring the war to an end, lamenting the “hundreds of thousands” of Russian and Ukrainian lives lost needlessly, and highlighting the devastation of an entire generation.
He noted that there were positive developments toward peace and credited Macron for playing a key role in these efforts from the outset. Trump suggested that the current moment could be a unique opportunity—possibly the only one—to bring the conflict to a close.
Turning to the financial burden of ensuring peace, Trump asserted that the responsibility should fall primarily on European nations rather than the United States. He stated that Macron shared this perspective, emphasizing that Europe must take a leading role in guaranteeing Ukraine’s long-term security.
Additionally, Trump reiterated his commitment to recovering what he described as the “colossal amount of money” spent by the U.S. on the conflict.
Concluding his remarks, Trump called for an agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine regarding critical minerals and rare earth resources as a form of security, hinting at progress in that direction.
Macron, speaking next, stressed that European nations must take on greater responsibility for the continent’s defense and security. He acknowledged the courage of the Ukrainian people in their struggle against Russia, stating that no one present would wish to live in a world governed by the “law of the strongest.”
The French president elaborated on the extensive discussions he and Trump had about ending the conflict and securing a ceasefire that would be conducive to negotiations for lasting peace. He also emphasized the need for security guarantees to sustain any peace agreement, aligning with Trump’s assertion that he wanted to be a “player for peace” in the region.
However, Macron made it clear that peace must not equate to Ukraine’s capitulation or a ceasefire without safeguards. He insisted that Ukraine’s sovereignty must be upheld, enabling the country to negotiate on its own terms with relevant stakeholders.
Reaffirming that Ukraine’s sovereignty is an “existential issue” for European stability, Macron praised Ukraine for holding the front line in the collective security of the continent.
Ultimately, Macron stressed that bringing an end to hostilities could not simply mean an unconditional ceasefire without concrete guarantees for Ukraine’s future.
