With diplomacy on the war in Ukraine splintering in various directions, President Emmanuel Macron of France held meetings Thursday with top American officials that were designed to preserve at least the appearance of a united front. At a working lunch with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s envoy, Mr. Macron discussed “peace negotiations aimed at ending the Russian aggression in Ukraine,” a statement from the French presidency said. That wording appeared unlikely to please the Trump administration, which has taken a different view of the conflict. It has claimed that Ukraine was responsible for Russia’s invasion, berated President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine for being ungrateful, and aligned with the likes of North Korea in rejecting a United Nations resolution condemning Russia for its aggression. Still, greeting Mr. Rubio and Mr. Witkoff, Mr. Macron said in English that “this is a very important occasion for convergence.”

Source: The Times April 18, 2025 14:24 UTC