In a joint press conference from the White House in Washington, DC, both leaders suggested that a truce for the Ukraine war is near.
French President Emmanuel Macron became the first European leader to meet US President Donald Trump since he assumed office. However, Macron also found himself fact-checking the US President over European aid to Ukraine as the world marked three years since Russia's invasion.
In a joint press conference from the White House in Washington, DC, both leaders suggested that a truce for the Ukraine war is near. However, Macron firmly stated that any truce or ceasefire should not equate to Ukraine's "surrender."
Adding to Macron's statement, Trump stated that the war could end "within weeks," and insisted Europe should take care of the cost and burden of peacekeeping deals for Ukraine.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump stated that Europe was merely loaning the money out to Ukraine and would get it back.
Interrupting Trump, Macron said - "No, in fact. To be frank, we paid. We paid 60 per cent of the total effort. It was -- like the US -- loans, guarantees, grants and we provided real money, to be clear."
Macron's visit to the US comes after the Trump administration began peace negotiations to end the Ukraine war with Russia.
While the US-Russia talks sidelined Europe, NATO allies such as the UK and France have stated that Ukraine will need US support for the truce deal.
As per Macron, the US President had "good reason" to re-engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"After speaking with President Trump, I fully believe there is a path forward," he said, adding that it is critical was the US to offer "backup" for any European peacekeeping force.