During a press conference at the White House on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron fact-checked US President Donald Trump regarding European aid to Ukraine. Macron interrupted Trump, asserting that Europe had paid 60% of the total support, including grants and loans. Despite Trump’s dismissive response, Macron emphasized the importance of not equating peace with Ukraine’s surrender. He noted a potential path forward in their discussions. Trump expressed confidence in ending the war soon and indicated plans for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while also calling for renewed diplomacy with Russia.
New Delhi:
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron fact-checked his US counterpart Donald Trump regarding aid for Ukraine during their meeting at the White House, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
During a joint press briefing, Macron interrupted Trump as he asserted that Europe was simply loaning money to Ukraine with plans to be reimbursed.
“No, actually. To be honest, we covered 60 percent of the total effort,” Macron stated, reaching out to Trump’s arm to pause him mid-sentence.
“Like the US, it was — loans, guarantees, grants, and we provided substantial funding, to clarify,” he continued.
Once Macron completed his statement, Trump smiled and remarked, “If you believe that, that’s fine by me.”
President Macron publicly corrected Donald Trump during a live broadcast, silencing him and providing factual information mid-conversation.
Trump maintained a smile throughout the exchange. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/jRf1uifE9M
— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) February 24, 2025
Macron, who was the first European leader to meet Trump since he regained power last month, cautioned that achieving peace must not equate to the “surrender” of Ukraine. However, he indicated that discussions with the US President had illuminated a potential path forward, despite concerns over a transatlantic divide.
He also noted that Trump had “good reason” to reconnect with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but emphasized the importance of Washington providing support for any European peacekeeping initiative.
“After my conversation with President Trump, I firmly believe there is a way forward,” he asserted.
Trump, who avoided labeling Putin a dictator, expressed optimism about concluding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, anticipating that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would visit the White House within the next fortnight.
“I believe we could resolve it in a matter of weeks — if we act wisely. If we fail to do so, it will continue,” he remarked earlier in the Oval Office.
The meeting between the two leaders took place shortly after Trump announced his willingness to revive diplomatic relations with Russia and engage in discussions to resolve the Ukraine conflict without Ukraine’s involvement.
The US also sided with Russia on two occasions at the United Nations on Monday.