French president Emmanuel Macron and his American counterpart Donald Trump spoke on the telephone minutes before Macron welcomed European dignitaries who had gathered in Paris to discuss the issue of security. The French President's office reported that the "sincere conversation" lasted 20 minutes.
This conversation took place at a time erstwhile European leaders are trying to find a common consequence to the shocks caused by Trump's second term, including his Plans for a direct gathering with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss end of war in Ukraine. The European powers fear that they will be excluded from the negotiations on which their situation besides depends.
EPA/Mohammed Badra / PAPDonald Trump and Emmanuel Macron in Paris, December 7, 2024.
Olaf Scholz from Germany, Giorgia Meloni from Italy, Pedro Sanchez from Spain, Keir Starmer from large Britain, Mette Frederiksen from Denmark, Donald Tusk from Poland and Dick Schoof from Holland gathered in Paris for a “informal meeting” as the French officials said. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Council president Antonio Costa and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte are besides present.
Before the gathering Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on European countries to a drastic increase in defence spendingto meet the challenges of continent security, while Washington seems ready to reduce its military commitments in the region.
