French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday his upcoming trip to Washington to persuade the U.S. President that aligning with European allies was in their best interests and that displaying any vulnerability to Russia would complicate dealings with China and Iran.
In a social media Q&A session, Macron expressed familiarity with Trump, stating, "Trump, I know him. I respect him and I believe he respects me." He emphasized the importance of not showing weakness towards Russian President Putin, asserting, "you cannot be weak in the face of President Putin. It's not in your interests." Macron voiced concern over the uncertainty surrounding Trump's approach to the conflict in Ukraine, stressing the need to leverage this uncertainty in negotiations with Putin.
Macron underlined the significance of demonstrating strength in dealings with Putin to avoid potential negative repercussions with China and in managing Iran's nuclear program. He emphasized the strategic implications of the Ukraine conflict and the need for the U.S. to maintain credibility in its international engagements.
Macron highlighted the importance of Washington's stance towards Moscow in the context of global relationships with China and Iran, stressing the need for a firm approach to maintain credibility and strategic stability. His comments were part of an effort by the French government to raise awareness among the public about the implications of the conflict in Ukraine amid the evolving diplomatic landscape following Trump's recent inauguration.