Macron and Trump hold 'very constructive' talks on Middle East and Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron described his meeting with US President Donald Trump on the Middle East and Ukraine as "very constructive," following a nearly 30-minute exchange on Monday at Trump Tower in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The two leaders discussed securing oil sites in the Red Sea and continuing support for Kyiv against Russia. Macron said they addressed "the need to help our Ukrainian friends even faster and stronger in terms of interceptor missiles," and proposed initiatives to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global hydrocarbon trade passes. Before the meeting, Macron had promised to speak "frankly" to steer Trump toward "the right decisions" on Ukraine. France seeks to maintain US support for Kyiv and increase pressure on Russia, while also proposing a UN Security Council resolution to guarantee navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.