Macron to use ‘unique’ relationship with Trump to influence Ukraine policy

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to leverage his “unique” relationship with former President Donald Trump during his upcoming trip to Washington.
Macron aims to persuade Trump to include European nations in any future settlement of the Ukraine war, as French officials reveal ahead of Macron’s visit on Monday, according to AFP.
European Security
Macron is expected to press Trump on the importance of safeguarding European allies while Trump builds up his contacts with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

“I am going there to say that the security of the French and the Europeans is important,” Macron said on Saturday. He emphasized that Russia remains “heavily armed” and continues to grow its military power.
Trump's remarks
Trump made waves in Europe when he expressed his willingness to resume

diplomatic talks with Putin

and potentially end the Russia-Ukraine war without involving European nations or Ukraine. Macron reacted last week by hosting meetings with key leaders to coordinate a response, underscoring that Russia remains “an existential threat to Europeans.”
Macron’s ‘unique relationship’ with Trump
Macron enjoys a rare advantage over other European leaders in that he has built a “unique relationship” with Trump, according to French officials. “I’m going to tell him: ‘You can’t be weak with President Putin. That’s not who you are, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest,’” Macron stated during an online Q&A on Thursday.
Celia Belin, a US specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), believes that Macron's experience will help him adopt the right approach, but warned that “there is no guarantee that it will work.”
Macron and Trump developed a cordial relationship when both assumed office in 2017, though their rapport didn’t lead to successes such as keeping the US in the Paris climate agreement or maintaining the international deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program.
Continuing dialogue despite differences
Despite their differences, Macron and Trump have maintained communication, including a recent phone call and Trump attending the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral in December. Belin noted that Macron “spoiled” Trump at times, hosting him with grandeur, which “counts for something.”
While Macron has lost influence domestically following his decision to dissolve parliament and call elections last year, he still commands respect on the international stage, particularly in defense matters, as he remains commander-in-chief of France's armed forces.
Paul Taylor, a senior fellow at the European Policy Centre, noted that Macron continues to carry weight globally.
Macron’s Washington mission is supported by most European leaders, despite internal EU divisions over sending peacekeepers to Ukraine in the future. Macron is expected to reassure Trump that Europe is ready to contribute more to its own defense while urging continued US support for Ukraine, including military assistance and respect for its sovereignty.
Challenges in US-France dialogue
Analysts remain uncertain about the outcome of Macron’s talks with Trump, particularly after the US president failed to mention Ukraine's territorial integrity as part of his push for a resolution.
Trump also criticized France and Britain, stating they “haven’t done anything” to end the war. Sources close to the French presidency predict that the upcoming talks will be direct and unfiltered, with Macron making his position clear.