Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed holding talks to put an end to Moscow’s conflict against Ukraine on Thursday, but Biden said he had not yet observed any sign of Putin’s desire to cease his 10-month assault.
After spending several hours in private discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Ukraine and other topics, Biden declared at a White House press conference, “I’m willing to talk to Putin but only in consultation with NATO partners.” “I don’t currently have any intentions to speak with Mr. Putin. I won’t attempt to complete it alone.
Putin’s withdrawal from Ukraine is the only way to put an end to this conflict, according to Biden. “What he’s doing is horrible. If his goal was to put an end to the conflict, he hasn’t succeeded.
The U.S. will continue to help Ukraine with greater military and humanitarian supplies, according to Macron, who expressed his confidence in this.
The French president stated, “It’s about our principles.
“Having American backing for Ukraine is crucial,”
Without the approval of the Kyiv administration, the U.S., according to Biden, “would never urge Ukraine to compromise” to end the conflict.
Before their private talks, Biden greeted Macron for the first state visit of a foreign head of state during his administration and declared that “France and the United States are facing down Vladimir Putin’s ambition.”
According to Biden, the partnership between our two countries is still crucial for our defense. “France is the best partner the United States could have.” He called France “our longest ally and unyielding collaborator in the struggle of freedom.”
As war returns to European territory with Russian aggression against Ukraine and in light of the numerous challenges affecting our nations and communities, Macron said in a speech on a beautiful but chilly morning in Washington: “We need to become brothers-in-arms once more.”
The two capitals “have the same conviction in freedom and democratic ideals,” he claimed.
Despite their shared commitment to assisting Ukraine, Macron voiced serious concerns to Biden regarding the U.S. president’s Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, which Congress approved earlier this year and allocates billions of dollars to support the country’s clean energy sector, as well as a separate measure that supports American semiconductor manufacturers.
On Wednesday, Macron informed House leaders that the proposal was “extremely harsh” toward European firms.
He noted that France produces “exactly the same items as you,” adding, “The effect of the IRA is that you may probably cure your issue, but you will exacerbate my problem.”
Biden stated during the press conference that European trading partners were “never intended to be excluded” by the law. Regarding American economic growth, he declared, “We’re back in business.” “Business is booming throughout Europe.”
“France wants the same new industrial jobs,” stated Macron.
As he phrased it, Biden admitted that certain parts of the law could need to be adjusted, but he expressed confidence that U.S. and European negotiators could resolve any issues so that both economies could grow.
Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, and then observed as a band dressed in colonial garb performed the national anthems of both nations, putting on full display the pomp and grandeur of a White House state visit for a foreign head of state. In honor of Macron’s visit, a 21-gun salute was fired.
Before Biden and Macron entered the White House for in-depth discussions, the two presidents and their wives waved from the balcony. The evening was set aside for a state supper.
On Wednesday night, the Bidens accompanied the Macrons to the luxury Italian seafood restaurant Fiola Mare, which has a view of the Potomac River.
Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
