Trump to Meet Macron, Starmer as EU Urges Continued U.S. Aid for Ukraine/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week amid tensions over U.S. support for Ukraine and shifting transatlantic relations. Macron seeks to deter U.S. concessions to Russia, while Starmer aims for diplomatic balance. Talks will also cover trade, NATO commitments, and European defense spending.
Trump-Europe Talks: Quick Looks at Key Takeaways
- Meetings schedule: Macron meets Trump on Ukraine war anniversary; Starmer follows later in the week
- Ukraine focus: Europe pushes Trump to maintain U.S. backing amid concerns over Russian negotiations
- Diplomatic divide: Macron takes a confrontational approach; Starmer seeks to bridge gaps diplomatically
- U.S.-Russia talks: European leaders criticize exclusion of Ukraine and EU from early peace discussions
- Defense spending: Macron and Starmer promise increased military budgets to appeal to Trump’s demands
- Trade tensions: Leaders aim to prevent new U.S. tariffs on European goods amid Trump’s economic policies
- Minerals and deals: Trump seeks access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals; Zelenskyy urges fair terms and security guarantees
- Putin relations: Trump’s comments praising Putin raise alarm in Europe about potential concessions
Trump to Meet Macron, Starmer as EU Urges Continued U.S. Aid for Ukraine
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will host French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week as Europe’s top leaders seek to salvage U.S. support for Ukraine and stabilize transatlantic ties strained by Trump’s foreign policy shifts.
Macron arrives Monday, marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while Starmer follows on Thursday. The visits come amid growing European alarm over Trump’s calls for rapid peace talks with Russia—talks that have excluded Ukrainian and European officials.
Ukraine War and Transatlantic Tensions
Trump’s push to end the war quickly has rattled European allies, especially after he criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and demanded access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. Trump’s rhetoric, including calling Zelenskyy a “dictator” and mischaracterizing Ukraine as the war’s aggressor, has further strained relations.
Macron plans to urge Trump not to show “weakness” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“If you let Russia take over Ukraine, it would be unstoppable,” Macron warned. Starmer, adopting a softer approach, hopes to act as a diplomatic bridge, emphasizing the importance of “safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
European leaders are also concerned about U.S. officials holding preliminary talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia without including Kyiv or European representatives. At the U.N., the U.S. has proposed a competing resolution on the war that differs from Ukraine’s call for Russia’s immediate withdrawal.
Economic Stakes: Rare Earth Minerals and Trade
A potential U.S.-Ukraine deal for rare earth mineral access has emerged as a sticking point. While Trump sees the deal as economically vital for American industries, Zelenskyy has demanded that any agreement include security guarantees. Negotiations remain ongoing, with hopes for a breakthrough this week.
Trade tensions will also dominate discussions. Trump’s administration has reimposed tariffs on various imports, raising fears in Europe of a broader trade war. Macron and Starmer will push to prevent new duties on European goods, while Starmer hopes the UK’s post-Brexit trade relationship can offer a buffer.
Defense Spending and NATO Commitments
Both Macron and Starmer aim to address Trump’s long-standing complaints about European defense spending. Macron recently pledged to increase France’s military budget to over 2% of GDP, while Starmer plans to raise the UK’s defense spending to 2.5%. Both leaders hope these commitments will satisfy Trump’s demands for stronger NATO burden-sharing.
Trump’s skepticism of NATO and recent suggestions that Russia be re-admitted to the G7 further alarm European officials.
“You can’t be weak in the face of Putin,” Macron emphasized. Starmer, wary of direct confrontation, seeks to reassure Trump while maintaining strong UK-U.S. defense cooperation.
Humanitarian and Diplomatic Concerns
Starmer also plans to voice concerns over Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians be relocated from Gaza to enable U.S. control of the territory—a proposal Britain opposes. Additionally, the UK leader will discuss the Chagos Islands’ sovereignty dispute, aiming to ease U.S. concerns about the UK’s recent agreement with Mauritius.
Symbolic Diplomacy and Soft Power
To smooth tensions, Starmer is expected to present Trump with an invitation from King Charles III for a state visit to the UK. Such ceremonial gestures could help mend frayed diplomatic ties amid contentious policy differences.
What’s at Stake for Europe and the U.S.?
European leaders fear that if the U.S. disengages from Ukraine, Russia could gain momentum, destabilizing the region. Macron and Starmer will press Trump to keep U.S. military and economic support in place until a fair peace agreement is reached.
“How you handle Putin will define how China sees your resolve.”
As talks unfold, the delicate balance between European unity, U.S. interests, and Ukraine’s sovereignty remains at the forefront. With geopolitical stakes high, the outcome of these meetings could shape the future of Western alliances.
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