Macron to urge Trump for strong stance on Putin during Washington visit

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to visit Washington to discuss U.S. relations with Russia. He aims to persuade President Donald Trump to avoid showing weakness towards Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that it could complicate issues with China and Iran. Macron expressed concern about Trump's handling of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, suggesting it creates uncertainty that could be beneficial in negotiations. He believes that a strong stance against Putin is essential for maintaining credibility with other global powers. The visit is part of efforts to ensure European involvement in negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict and to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. Macron described the current situation as a new era in diplomacy.