President Trump initially considered canceling Ukrainian President Zelensky’s upcoming Washington visit after pressuring Ukraine to finalize a minerals deal. Following Trump’s public criticism of Zelensky and a subsequent message to Kyiv canceling the meeting, French President Macron intervened. Macron’s intervention reportedly convinced Trump to reinstate the visit, scheduled for February 28th. The finalized minerals deal, a key point of contention, lacks explicit U.S. security guarantees, though U.S. support for Ukraine’s pursuit of them is acknowledged. Zelensky’s visit will proceed despite earlier setbacks.
Read More
Following Russia’s invasion, President Macron stressed that any Ukrainian peace agreement cannot equate to surrender, a sentiment echoed by Ukrainian President Zelensky’s call for peace in 2024. Discussions between Macron and Trump centered on potential peacekeeping deployments, though disagreements remain regarding U.S. financial and military commitments. Trump expressed optimism for a swift resolution, potentially involving a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukrainian resources, while Putin showed increased openness to European involvement in negotiations. However, the U.S.’s recent alignment with Russia at the UN raises concerns about the future of Western support for Ukraine.
Read More
The upcoming four years represent a pivotal moment for America, demanding unwavering commitment to unbiased news coverage. HuffPost, facing this crucial period, is launching an ad-free experience for contributing supporters. This initiative aims to sustain the platform’s mission of delivering free and fair journalism. Continued support is vital to ensuring HuffPost’s ability to fulfill this critical role.
Read More
The Daily Beast welcomes reader submissions. Tips can be submitted through a designated online portal. This allows for the sharing of information and insights with the publication. The process is straightforward and encourages reader participation in investigative journalism. Contributions are valuable and help inform Daily Beast reporting.
Read More
Despite convivial appearances, Macron’s Oval Office meeting with Trump revealed strained transatlantic relations, particularly regarding the Ukraine war. A notable disagreement arose when Macron corrected Trump’s inaccurate claim that Europe only loaned money to Ukraine, stating Europe contributed 60% of the total aid. While Trump expressed openness to a European peacekeeping force and a deal securing Ukrainian mineral revenues, he maintained his controversial stance on the war’s origins and timeline, and his desire to meet with Putin. Macron’s strategy focused on managing the situation and emphasizing a united European front, coordinating with Starmer to present a unified approach to Trump.
Read More
Ahead of a Monday meeting in Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron plans to urge President Trump to adopt a strong stance against Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that weakness towards Russia is against both American and European interests. Macron believes that Trump’s unpredictable approach could strategically benefit the West in negotiations, creating uncertainty for Putin. However, any peace deal must involve Ukraine and European partners, preventing a surrender that could embolden Russia further. Macron also voiced support for increased European defense spending and the potential deployment of French troops as part of a post-conflict security force in Ukraine.
Read More
France is entering a “new era” requiring increased military preparedness in response to a potential US-Russia diplomatic thaw over the Ukraine conflict. President Macron will urge President Trump to adopt a stronger stance against Putin, emphasizing the need for continued Western unity and support for Ukraine. Macron plans to discuss providing security guarantees to Ukraine post-ceasefire, while ruling out immediate troop deployments. This new era necessitates a greater European war effort to counter the existential threat posed by Russia.
Read More
President Macron discussed increasing France’s military spending from 2.1% to 5% of GDP, a possibility considered in response to a potential US withdrawal of transatlantic protection. This significant increase was mentioned during meetings with political parties and in a social media Q&A regarding the evolving security landscape in the wake of the Ukraine conflict. Macron emphasized the need for greater European defense investment and did not rule out innovative financing mechanisms, such as national savings bonds. However, he reiterated France’s current non-interventionist military stance in Ukraine.
Read More
Macron’s assertion that only Ukrainian President Zelenskyy can negotiate peace for his country highlights a complex issue demanding careful consideration. It underscores the inherent authority and legitimacy a head of state possesses in representing their nation’s interests during such a critical juncture. Negotiations regarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the future of a nation must emanate from those directly responsible for its governance.
This perspective emphasizes the importance of respecting Ukraine’s agency in charting its own path to peace. It subtly acknowledges the limitations of external actors in imposing solutions, no matter how well-intentioned. A peace agreement forced upon a nation, rather than forged through its own leadership, runs the risk of being unstable and ultimately unsustainable.… Continue reading
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly criticized Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gazans, calling it a “real estate operation” rather than a political solution and emphasizing the importance of respecting Palestinians’ right to remain in their homeland. Macron’s rejection follows similar condemnations from the international community, including the UN, which warned against ethnic cleansing. While supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, France has publicly condemned Israeli policies in Gaza and suspended arms exports to the IDF. The Trump plan, also supported by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, has drawn widespread international criticism, with only a few far-right voices expressing support.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood