President Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France emphasized Saturday how much they agree with each other on world affairs, including the war in Ukraine, even as their countries have expressed starkly different views on the fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. .
Appearing briefly together before reporters after two days of D-Day commemorations, the two presidents refused to answer questions and papered over their sharp differences over the Middle East. Instead, both affirmed the enduring strength of the Franco-American partnership on climate, economics, European security and cultural ties.
“Today, I am proud to stand with France to support freedom and democracy around the world,” Biden said, as the two men left a closed-door meeting at the Elysée Palace.
“We agree with this war that is ravaging Ukraine,” Macron said, adding that he hoped that “all G7 members will accept a solidarity fund of $50 billion for Ukraine,” referring to the Group of 7 industrialized countries. nations.
The French president’s comments suggested the two leaders had reached agreement on a plan to tap proceeds from frozen Russian assets to provide an initial loan of up to $50 billion to Ukraine. American officials had said before the meeting that France was the main obstacle to such a plan and that they hoped to gain support during the visit to Paris.
Regarding Gaza, Macron highlighted his government’s support for an Israeli ceasefire proposal that Biden has strongly backed. But the French president also directly challenged Israel to do more to deliver aid to Palestinians suffering from government bombing.
“It is not acceptable that Israel does not open all checkpoints to humanitarian aid, as the united international community has requested for months,” Macron said. He said Israeli operations in Gaza “should cease.”
France has supported the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek injunctions for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza. By contrast, Biden has condemned that effort, calling it an unconscionable comparison of the two leaders. France also voted at the United Nations in May to include Palestine as a full member of the organization, something the United States opposes.
Neither Biden nor Macron mentioned any of the disagreements over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In a departure from standard practice when American presidents meet with foreign leaders, journalists from France and the United States were not allowed to ask questions after Saturday’s remarks, which lasted a total of 16 minutes. In most cases, the two leaders allow journalists from each country to ask at least two questions.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to explain why that wasn’t the case on Saturday.
“This was the agreement that was made,” he told reporters earlier in the week. “As you know, in any bilateral meeting or, in this case, a state visit, all of that is discussed between the two parties. And in our discussions and planning for this visit it was decided that that is what they would do: that they would go out and make statements to the press.”
Macron’s warm embrace of Biden despite tensions in the relationship contrasted sharply with the mood when President Donald J. Trump visited him in November 2018. Just minutes before Air Force One landed in Paris, Trump posted a message. online accusing Macron of being “very insulting.” Macron then gave a speech attacking nationalism just weeks after Trump declared himself an American nationalist.
On Saturday, by contrast, Macron praised Biden as “a partner who respects Europeans,” a phrase that sounded like a distinction from Trump, who often denigrated European leaders. “Thank you for standing by Europe,” Macron said.
“You’ve become a good friend,” Biden said in response.
