French President Emmanuel Macron is currently on an official visit to the United States, and his joint press briefing with Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., took an unexpected turn. In a rare moment, Macron took the lead in answering key questions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, correcting Trump’s statements and clarifying Europe’s financial contributions to Ukraine. The incident has sparked debates about tensions between the U.S. and Europe over their stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Macron Interrupts Trump Over Ukraine Aid Claim
During the briefing, Donald Trump claimed that Europe was merely "lending" money to Ukraine and would eventually recover the funds. However, Emmanuel Macron immediately interrupted, placing his hand on Trump’s and correcting the statement.
The moment was captured in a viral video shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by an account named ‘Gunnys Adventures’.
Watch Here:
Macron asserted, "No, to be very clear, we have paid a total of 60% to Ukraine, including loans, guarantees, and grants. It was similar to what the U.S. did." While Trump didn’t openly contest Macron’s statement, he gave a reserved smile and a slight nod.
Macron Clarifies Europe’s Stand on Ukraine’s War Funding
Emmanuel Macron emphasised that the financial assistance given to Ukraine is not a loan that must be repaid but rather a strategic investment, with future compensation expected to come from seized Russian assets.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s remarks suggested he viewed Ukraine’s mineral resources as potential collateral in exchange for U.S. security assistance, further underlining the differences in how Europe and the United States approach the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump’s Recent Comments on Ukraine
The incident comes just days after Donald Trump made headlines with his remark about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referring to him as a “dictator without elections.”
This growing divide between the U.S. and Europe over the Russia-Ukraine war is becoming more evident, with Macron and Trump representing different perspectives on the future of the conflict and Ukraine’s financial stability.
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