This was unexpected.
French President Emmanuel Macron openly mocked President Donald Trump on Friday, reminding the world that Trump’s deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expires Monday.
“If by Monday—President Trump’s deadline—there is still no meeting, then it would show once again that Vladimir Putin has outmaneuvered President Trump,” Macron remarked at a joint press conference alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Macron and Merz Undercut Trump’s Peace Efforts
Both Macron and Merz said they hope a Putin–Zelensky meeting will happen, but hinted that if Moscow refuses, Europe will move forward with new sanctions. Merz warned the war could drag on for “many more” months and vowed Europe would not “abandon Kyiv.”
But behind the scenes, Trump continues pressing for results. Speaking at the White House last week, the president gave a blunt warning:
“We’re going to see whether or not they have a meeting. If they don’t, why didn’t they have a meeting—because I told them to have a meeting. I’ll know what I am going to do in two weeks.”
Zelensky Backs Trump’s Deadline
Zelensky reminded reporters that Trump gave Putin “a week or two” to commit to talks. “Two weeks will be on Monday. And we will remind everybody,” Zelensky said.
Meanwhile, Russia drags its feet, pounding Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones while questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy. Ukraine says it is ready for direct talks but refuses to make territorial concessions.
White House Pushes Back on Macron’s Jab
When asked about Macron’s remarks, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller blasted the press for running with what he called a “dishonest narrative.”
“Literally no president, not just in our lifetimes, but in American history, has done more to advance world peace than President Trump,” Miller said. He emphasized that Trump has already “achieved seven peace deals in seven months” while Biden only fueled chaos.
Trump Envoy Meets Ukraine Officials
On Friday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met in New York with senior Ukrainian officials to discuss Russia’s continued bombardment. Ukraine’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak praised Trump’s resolve and said Kyiv “welcomes all peace initiatives” led by Washington.
“Ukraine stands behind President Trump’s strong commitment to securing a lasting peace quickly. Sadly, every effort so far has been blocked by Russia,” Yermak posted on X.
The Bigger Picture: Biden’s War vs. Trump’s Peace
For many conservatives, Macron’s swipe shows how European elites want to embarrass Trump while ignoring Biden’s disastrous role in prolonging the war. The contrast is clear:
- Biden’s record: War, chaos, weakness.
- Trump’s record: Deadlines, deals, and real results.
As Macron tries to humiliate America’s president, Trump continues to prove he’s the only world leader willing to force Putin and Zelensky toward peace.