Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to ending the war in Ukraine during a joint press conference in Washington, D.C. on Monday (February 24).
Trump emphasized the urgency of securing a ceasefire and achieving lasting peace, stating that his administration has engaged in direct talks with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He underscored that the invasion "would never have happened" under his previous presidency.
Trump also stressed that Europe must take on a greater role in ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security, noting Macron’s agreement on this issue. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing negotiations on critical minerals and rare earth agreements with Ukraine as part of broader security efforts.
Macron acknowledged the shift in U.S. leadership as a key opportunity to reengage with Russia and emphasized the need for a structured, verifiable peace agreement. He reiterated that France and other European nations are ready to contribute but emphasized that U.S. backing remains essential for credible security guarantees.
Trump concluded by expressing confidence that a peace deal is within reach, calling it “the big one” among ongoing diplomatic efforts.
