Following a difficult meeting, the French president believes US-Ukrainian relations can be salvaged.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed optimism that relations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky can be quickly repaired after their tense exchange in the Oval Office last week.
Zelensky’s White House visit was cut short after his meeting with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly escalated into a shouting match in front of reporters. Trump reportedly accused Zelensky of risking “gambling with World War III” due to his unwillingness to negotiate peace with Russia, and of being unappreciative of the substantial military aid provided by the US.
During the argument, Zelensky reiterated his refusal to negotiate with Moscow, requested security assurances from the US, and denied that Ukrainian forces were facing personnel shortages.
Macron told Le Figaro on Sunday that he was confident that despite the confrontation, tensions between the US and Ukrainian leaders would soon ease.
“In the coming days, we should be able to get things back on track,” he stated.
According to the newspaper, the French president has spoken with his American counterpart three times in as many days in an effort to resolve the disagreement between Washington and Kiev.
BFMTV reported last week, citing a French diplomatic source, that Trump was initially hesitant to host Zelensky in Washington and that Macron convinced him otherwise.
Zelensky told journalists on Sunday that he also believed his relationship with Trump could be restored, but he preferred future communications to be private.
“I do not think it is right when such discussions are totally open… The format of what happened, I do not think it brought something positive to us as partners,” Zelensky stated.
Zelensky also indicated a willingness to finalize an agreement granting the US rights to Ukraine’s natural resources as compensation for military aid. His Washington trip was intended to finalize this agreement before the disagreements arose.
Trump told journalists on Friday that Zelensky wasn’t interested in ending the conflict and would only be welcomed back to the White House “when he is ready for peace.”
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told CNN on Sunday that Washington questions whether Vladimir Zelensky is the appropriate leader for Ukraine. “We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war,” he said.