Washington, D.C. U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the White House on Monday to discuss key economic and security issues, with a focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine. While both leaders agreed on the need for peace, they showed sharp differences in their approaches to resolving the conflict.
Trump emphasized his administration’s support for Ukraine, stating that the U.S. has provided assistance at an unprecedented level. He claimed that had he not been president, Ukraine would still be in a much weaker position. Trump also warned that the war could escalate into a global conflict if not resolved soon.
“This war could lead to World War III if it is not stopped. Many other countries are already involved, and it could turn into something much bigger,” Trump said.
Trump suggested that European troops might enter Ukraine as peacekeepers once a ceasefire agreement is reached. He also revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might visit Washington soon to sign a deal related to Ukraine’s natural resources.
“We are working on an agreement, and it is almost finalized. It includes rare earth minerals and other resources. Zelensky wants to come to sign it, and I would be happy to meet him at the Oval Office,” Trump added.
Macron, however, took a firmer stance against Russia. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of violating international peace agreements and stated that the war had placed a heavy financial burden on all involved countries.
“This war has cost all of us a lot of money, and Russia is responsible as the aggressor,” Macron said.
During their Oval Office meeting, Macron corrected Trump’s claim that Europe had only provided loans to Ukraine. He clarified that Europe had covered 60% of Ukraine’s total financial needs through a mix of loans and grants.
Trump expressed his desire for a quick ceasefire and even suggested that he could travel to Moscow to meet with Putin once a deal is reached. However, Macron advocated for a more structured approach, beginning with a temporary truce followed by a peace agreement with strong guarantees.
“We need a ceasefire first, something that can be verified. Then we must ensure that there are solid security guarantees in place. Many European leaders, including myself, are ready to be involved, but American support is essential,” Macron explained.
Despite their differences, both leaders agreed on the idea of deploying European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine once a deal is finalized. Trump said he and Putin support the plan.
Trump also revealed that he hopes to reach a revenue-sharing agreement with Ukraine over its mineral resources. He suggested that Ukraine should use its mineral wealth to repay the costs of U.S. military aid provided under the Biden administration. However, Zelensky has so far resisted U.S. demands for $500 billion in mineral rights, arguing that the aid received does not match that amount and that security guarantees are still lacking.
Later in the day, Macron appeared on *Fox News Channel’s Special Report with Bret Baier*, where he expressed optimism about reaching a Ukraine-Russia agreement soon.
“I think a ceasefire could be achieved in the coming weeks,” Macron said. He also suggested that a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal could help secure long-term American support.
On trade issues, Macron voiced opposition to Washington’s plans to increase tariffs on European goods. Instead, he urged the U.S. to focus on strengthening security and defense cooperation with Europe rather than engaging in trade disputes with European nations and China.
The meeting highlighted the ongoing diplomatic challenges in resolving the Ukraine war and maintaining transatlantic relations. While Trump and Macron agreed on some aspects of the crisis, their differing strategies suggest that negotiations will remain complex in the weeks ahead.
