French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, aiming to present “proposals for action” to counter the “Russian threat” in Europe and secure peace in Ukraine. The meeting coincides with the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine and comes amid concerns that Trump may seek to negotiate with Russia without involving European nations or Kyiv.
Macron hopes to persuade Trump to maintain US support for Ukraine while ensuring that European interests remain central in any potential diplomatic efforts. His visit follows discussions with key European leaders, including Hungary’s pro-Moscow Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as part of a coordinated European response to Trump’s shifting stance on the war.
European Concerns Over Trump’s Approach
Trump has alarmed European allies by expressing a willingness to engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin while excluding European leaders. He has also echoed Russian claims regarding Ukraine’s responsibility for the war, raising fears that he might accept Moscow’s terms for ending the conflict.
In response, Macron has emphasized that Russia poses an “existential threat” to Europe and must be contained. “You have a power that has overly armed itself… and continues to arm itself. We don’t know where it will stop today. So we must all act to contain it,” he said before departing for Washington.
Macron is expected to push Trump to acknowledge that Putin “will not respect” a ceasefire and that continued Western pressure is necessary to secure a lasting peace.
Proposed European Security Measures
Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will visit the White House on Thursday, coordinated their messaging before the French president’s trip. One key topic under discussion is the potential deployment of European forces to Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached.
The plan, currently under consideration, would see European troops deployed in non-combat roles behind the front lines to deter future Russian aggression. A French source close to the discussions suggested that this could be part of a broader multinational operation involving non-European contingents.
Macron and Starmer are also expected to seek “solid security guarantees” from Trump for these forces. Although the Trump administration has ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine, European leaders hope Washington will contribute logistical and intelligence support.
Trump’s Position and European Strategy
Trump has made it clear that he wants to reduce US commitments to European security and shift more responsibility onto NATO allies. In response, Macron and other European leaders are preparing to increase defense spending and demonstrate Europe’s capacity to handle its own security.
Macron argued that closer US-European cooperation remains in Trump’s strategic interest, stating, “It is in his interest to work with the Europeans because Europe has a capacity for growth—an economic potential—to cooperate with Americans.”
