US President Donald Trump on Monday said Russian leader Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential agreement to end Russia’s war there. Mr Trump also suggested Ukraine might be able to regain some of its territory under a deal.
Mr Putin "doesn't mind" if European peacekeepers are stationed in Ukraine, Mr Trump said, adding: "I specifically asked him that question. He has no problem with it."
He made the comments to reporters at in an Oval Office meeting at the White House with French President Emmanuel Macron on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mr Macron is looking to strengthen support for Ukraine and try to persuade the US not to hand Russia a victory.
In a joint news conference afterwards, Mr Macron said Ukraine has held the line for Europe's "collective security" and that he is aware of the continent's need to shoulder more of the security burden.
"We fully share the idea of peace through strength," he said.
Earlier the two leaders spoke remotely to other G7 nations. Mr Trump said the leaders agreed on the importance of ending the war but that he was also in “serious discussions” with Mr Putin about “major economic development transactions” between the two countries.
Mr Trump said Ukraine might be able to regain some its territory held by Russia. "Perhaps some of it, yeah. I hope so. But that's not an easy thing to do," he said.
Mr Macron, the first European leader to visit Mr Trump since his inauguration, said their conversation was “very good, very friendly, as always". The two have a long and generally positive relationship from Mr Trump's first term.
His efforts to lobby Mr Trump to support Ukraine, and urge him to consider European interests, will be backed up on Thursday when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Washington.
The talks come amid a deepening rift between the US and Ukraine. The Trump administration has pushed for a mineral deal with Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially rejected. Mr Trump said he would "soon" meet Mr Zelenskyy to sign the minerals agreement. Mr Macron thanked the US President for the deal and said it could promote Ukraine's sovereignty.
The US President has left Europe reeling this month after pushing for a peace deal that appears favourable to Russian interests. He last week claimed that Mr Zelenskyy had started the war.
On X, Mr Macron shot back at the claim, calling Russia the aggressor.
“For three years, Ukraine has been fighting with admirable courage against an aggressor – Russia. For sovereignty and freedom,” Mr Macron said. “Our support for Ukraine will remain unwavering. I am in Washington to reaffirm this and to move forward with President Trump and our allies.”
The visit comes after a first round of peace talks between Russian and US diplomats in Riyadh last week. The talks, which did not include Europe or Kyiv, caused concern that they would lead to significant territorial losses for Ukraine, and other concessions.
