LONDON — The leaders of France and Britain are making tag-team visits to Washington this week as Europe makes an attempt to influence President Donald Trump to not abandon Ukraine in pursuit of a peace deal within the three-year-old conflict with Russia.
There is a component of excellent cop, dangerous cop in efforts by U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to salvage American assist for Kyiv.
Starmer, reluctant to overtly confront Trump, speaks of being a bridge between Europe and the U.S. administration. Macron has extra strongly criticized Trump’s current statements that echo Russia’s narrative and American strikes to barter with Moscow whereas sidelining Ukraine.
The 2 leaders spoke by telephone Sunday and stated the U.Ok. and Europe should “show united leadership in support of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression,” Starmer’s workplace stated. Each additionally stress that Ukraine’s sovereignty have to be on the heart of any talks.
The French president warned Trump in opposition to showing “weak in the face of President Putin.”
“It’s not in your interest,” stated Macron, who’s due on the White Home Monday, the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Starmer is about to comply with on Thursday.
Macron referred to as a disaster assembly of European leaders in Paris final week to debate the continent’s subsequent steps.