Macron’s White House Trip Deemed Unsuccessful by Politico
According to a source from the outlet, Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to secure US security guarantees for Ukraine from Donald Trump were a “waste of time.” Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
French President Emmanuel Macron's recent discussions with President Donald Trump in Washington did not yield any concrete US security guarantees for Ukraine, according to a report by PMG.
During their meeting at the White House on Monday, Trump reiterated his preference for an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine but stopped short of condemning Moscow. Macron expressed his desire for “a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine,” emphasizing that this peace must be accompanied by robust and credible security guarantees for the Ukrainians.
PMG reported that Macron attempted to obtain assurances for Kiev from Trump but was largely unsuccessful. Following the talks, he briefed his EU counterparts on the outcomes during a hastily arranged 30-minute video conference.
“[Macron] said that Trump did not give any clear promises regarding the backstop. So, indeed, strategic ambiguity on this question remains,” noted an EU diplomat, referring to a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Another senior European official characterized the meeting between Macron and Trump as “a waste of time.”
After the meeting, Trump remarked that he is “not going to make security guarantees beyond very much,” asserting that the main responsibility should fall on the EU. He also made it clear that no US troops would be deployed to Ukraine, although EU officials continue to hope that Washington could contribute various forms of support, such as intelligence, air defense, and logistics for peacekeeping efforts.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Britain and France are considering a plan to send up to 30,000 “peacekeepers” to Ukraine, contingent on a ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kiev. This force would focus on protecting essential Ukrainian facilities instead of being stationed at the front lines, noting that “without Trump’s backing, the European plan to send peacekeepers faces a difficult path.”
Russia has consistently opposed the deployment of unauthorized peacekeepers in Ukraine, warning that such forces would be regarded as legitimate targets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that sending NATO troops disguised as peacekeepers would contradict Moscow's objective of keeping Ukraine out of the US-led military alliance.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has recognized that the US will not deliver the security guarantees he sought as part of a yet-to-be-signed deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits. Nevertheless, The Economist reported that Zelensky does not plan to sign any subsequent agreement that lacks broader security guarantees.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
During their meeting at the White House on Monday, Trump reiterated his preference for an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine but stopped short of condemning Moscow. Macron expressed his desire for “a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine,” emphasizing that this peace must be accompanied by robust and credible security guarantees for the Ukrainians.
PMG reported that Macron attempted to obtain assurances for Kiev from Trump but was largely unsuccessful. Following the talks, he briefed his EU counterparts on the outcomes during a hastily arranged 30-minute video conference.
“[Macron] said that Trump did not give any clear promises regarding the backstop. So, indeed, strategic ambiguity on this question remains,” noted an EU diplomat, referring to a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Another senior European official characterized the meeting between Macron and Trump as “a waste of time.”
After the meeting, Trump remarked that he is “not going to make security guarantees beyond very much,” asserting that the main responsibility should fall on the EU. He also made it clear that no US troops would be deployed to Ukraine, although EU officials continue to hope that Washington could contribute various forms of support, such as intelligence, air defense, and logistics for peacekeeping efforts.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Britain and France are considering a plan to send up to 30,000 “peacekeepers” to Ukraine, contingent on a ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kiev. This force would focus on protecting essential Ukrainian facilities instead of being stationed at the front lines, noting that “without Trump’s backing, the European plan to send peacekeepers faces a difficult path.”
Russia has consistently opposed the deployment of unauthorized peacekeepers in Ukraine, warning that such forces would be regarded as legitimate targets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that sending NATO troops disguised as peacekeepers would contradict Moscow's objective of keeping Ukraine out of the US-led military alliance.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has recognized that the US will not deliver the security guarantees he sought as part of a yet-to-be-signed deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits. Nevertheless, The Economist reported that Zelensky does not plan to sign any subsequent agreement that lacks broader security guarantees.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
