Macron visits Trump
French President Emmanuel Macron met his US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on Monday and discussed the situation in Ukraine. Macron's goal was to get Trump to give up his pro-Russian stance and involve Europe in peace talks. The press takes stock.
A self-confident guest at the White House
Visão praises the way Macron conducted himself:
“Emmanuel Macron fact-checked Donald Trump in the Oval Office and put him on the defensive, showing that France and Europe are not afraid of the US withdrawing from Nato or reducing its participation to a merely symbolic act. ... What we saw was a tough Macron, aware of his role and power as the leader of a nuclear power, and in a position to tell Washington that the American protective shield can be replaced by the French and the British.”
Only France has what it takes now
Paris must assume a leading role, Capital concludes:
“Europe cannot afford to remain headless at this juncture. It needs a leadership that can act quickly, make critical decisions and develop a strategy without delays or institutional constraints. And the only country that is up to this task is France. Military strength is another crucial element. France is the only nuclear power in the EU and the only country on the continent that can guarantee European security, even if only temporarily, without the need for external guarantees.”
Mood management and gentle guidance needed
Following Macron's visit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is heading to Washington towards the end of the week. The Independent offers tips for dealing with Trump:
“The simple fact is that Europe has tied itself to the US so strongly - in terms of trade, in terms of culture, in terms of military protection - that it cannot simply freeze it out. Trump must be navigated, his fluctuating moods must be managed: don't mention his name when you talk about the damage his policies have done, make sure to call him a great dealmaker on social media even if the opposite is true, take a selfie if you can, do the thumbs-up, take the phone calls, tiptoe around the tantrums and try to gently guide him toward the right solution.”
Europe must resist
Trump cannot be brought to his senses, Les Echos warns:
“In the face of 'Washington's betrayal', neither Paris nor London should dream of being the preferred intermediary between Europe and the US: the British prime minister in the name of the special relationship between London and Washington, Emmanuel Macron by virtue of his charm alone. The goal here should not be to seduce Trump or dream of bringing him to his senses, but to resist him - in the name of defending our interests and remaining true to our values. Abandoning Ukraine means betraying who we are. It is also the guarantee that after dishonour we will have war.”