Macron affirms unity with allies on Ukraine before U.S. visit

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France and its allies are united in supporting Ukraine's rights and European security in any peace deal with Russia. This comes ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on February 24. Macron held a video conference with leaders from 19 European countries to coordinate responses to Russia's actions. He emphasized the need for robust guarantees for Ukraine and increased defense spending in Europe. The meeting follows Trump's controversial remarks about resuming diplomacy with Russia, which surprised European leaders. Macron has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the start of the conflict in 2022.