Macron balances diplomacy, realism in tricky Trump meeting on Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron walked a tightrope during his visit to Washington, managing to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump without conceding too much ground on Europe’s stance toward Ukraine. In a relationship that has been strained by shifting priorities, Macron played his hand carefully—praising, flattering, and subtly challenging Trump as they navigated a delicate discussion on transatlantic relations.

The Oval Office meeting and subsequent joint press conference underscored a growing divergence in U.S.-Europe relations. While Macron corrected Trump’s claims on European support for Ukraine, he also acknowledged that Europe needed to assume greater responsibility for its own security. Notably, he made a rare concession—endorsing Trump’s attempt to re-establish ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“There is good reason for President Trump to re-engage with President Putin,” Macron said, calling the new administration “a big change” in global diplomacy. His remarks marked a significant departure from the prevailing European stance, which has focused on isolating Putin through sanctions.

Macron also floated the idea of France and the UK playing a more direct role in securing a post-truce Ukraine, possibly through air power or troop deployments away from the frontline. However, he emphasized that European efforts would still require an American “backstop.” Yet, despite his efforts, Macron left Washington without a firm commitment from Trump on U.S. support. If he had hoped for even mild criticism of Putin from the U.S. president, he found none.

The broader picture is clear: the once-close transatlantic relationship, forged in the aftermath of World War II, is no longer a given. Macron has long pushed for a more strategically autonomous Europe, including discussions on a unified European defense force. His vision aligns with Friedrich Merz, Germany’s incoming chancellor, who has been vocal about Europe reducing its reliance on Washington.

“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” Merz stated.

However, not all European nations share this view. The rise of nationalist parties, such as Germany’s far-right AfD—which placed second in Sunday’s elections—suggests that skepticism toward unwavering support for Ukraine is growing among European voters.

Later this week, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will visit Washington to reinforce Europe’s case on Ukraine. Like Macron, he believes in leveraging his country’s longstanding “special relationship” with the U.S. to keep Europe’s voice at the table.

But with Trump in “transmit mode,” focused on pushing his agenda with little room for compromise, European leaders are confronting a stark reality: America’s willingness to dictate global policy has always been evident, but Europe is now feeling the weight of its diminishing influence. This shift underscores the deep fracture in traditional alliances—a rupture that Macron and his counterparts must now navigate with both caution and resolve.