"Very useful": Macron briefs EU leaders on meeting with Trump

"Very useful": Macron briefs EU leaders on meeting with Trump AFP • 4 hours • 2 minutes reading time French President Emmanuel Macron has informed the heads of state and government of the European Union about the results of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. The EU leaders held a 30-minute video conference on Wednesday, according to sources close to EU Council President António Costa. Costa called Macron's report on the online service X "very useful" for preparing for the EU special summit on March 6 in Brussels. The Europeans would "take decisions to support Ukraine and strengthen European defense" next week, Costa announced. According to Brussels, all 27 EU countries took part in the video conference. The incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) took part for Germany. After Macron's briefing, there was a short question and answer session. Macron had discussed Trump's planned negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the White House on Monday. The French President then spoke of a "common" path with Trump. However, there are still major differences between the USA and Europe on key points. The USA no longer describes Russia as an "aggressor" in the war. It is also uncertain to what extent Ukraine and the Europeans will be involved in the negotiations between Trump and Putin. There is also uncertainty about the security of a possible European peacekeeping force by the USA and about US security guarantees for Ukraine. They are intended to prevent a new attack by Russia. On Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to meet with Trump in Washington. He spoke to Macron on the phone to prepare. Both then praised the US President's "leadership role" in the Ukraine talks. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also traveled to Washington to coordinate with Trump's entourage on the Ukraine negotiations. However, it remained unclear for the time being whether the hoped-for meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday would take place. According to diplomats, the Brussels institutions are having difficulty making contact with the new US government. With a view to the EU crisis summit on March 6, Kallas has proposed a new European aid package for Ukraine. According to an unpublished draft, it should include at least 1.5 million rounds of ammunition as well as additional air defense systems, missiles and drones. At least six billion euros are being discussed for financing. Where the money will come from is unclear. In order to enable EU countries to invest billions in their own defense, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has brought up the possibility of relaxing European debt rules. In addition, she spoke to the "Politico" portal and other media about a new "European instrument" for financing missiles, drones or air defense. Von der Leyen did not give any details. France, Spain and Italy are pushing for a billion-euro fund financed by joint debt, modeled on the Corona pandemic. Germany and the Netherlands have so far rejected this.