Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump in the Oval Office Feb. 24.Photo:LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty

US President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2025.

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty

French PresidentEmmanuel Macronhas pushed back against PresidentDonald Trump’s statements about aid to Ukraine and warned about peace negotiations that don’t involve the invaded country.

“Just so you understand, Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They get their money back,” Trump said in the meeting.

Macron then extended his left hand and placed it on Trump’s arm.

Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump in the Oval Office Feb. 24.LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty

US President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2025

“No, in fact, to be frank, we paid 60% of the total effort. And it was through — like the U.S. — loans, guaranteed grants and we provided real money, to be clear,” Macron said, cutting Trump off.

“We have $230 billion frozen assets in Europe, Russian assets,” the French president continued. “…If at the end of the day, in the negotiations we would have with Russia, they are ready to give it to us [then] super, it will be a loan at the end of the day and Russia will have paid for that.”

“If you believe that, it’s okay with me,” Trump replied.

That same day, at the United Nations General Assembly, the U.S. voted in tandem with North Korea, Russia and 15 other countries against a resolution that condemned Russia’s aggression and demanded the removal of their troops from Ukraine, while 93 other countries supported the European-drafted resolution.

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Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump in the Oval Office Feb. 24.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

U.S. President Donald Trump hosts French President Emmanuel Macron as they answer questions from journalists in the Oval Office at the White House on February 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

In an interview with Fox News’s “Special Report” later on Monday, Macron issued a word of caution to Trump — as the American president pursues peace negotiations without involving Ukraine, and amid his proposition that the U.S. will supply aid in exchange for Ukrainian resources.

“I think the arrival of President Trump is a game-changer. And I think he has the deterrence capacity of the U.S. to reengage with Russia,” Macron said. “We want peace. And I think the initiative of President Trump is a very positive one.”

“But my message was to say, ‘Be careful,’ because we need something substantial for Ukraine,” he added.

source: people.com