Updated: France denies plans for Macron's visit to Washington with Zelensky, Starmer
Editor's note: The article was expanded by a comment from a French government spokesperson and the Elysee Palace.
The Elysee Palace denied earlier speculations that French President Emmanuel Macron is planning to visit Washington as early as next week together with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Le Figaro reported on March 5.
The statement comes after the British tabloid Daily Mail reported on the three leaders' plans to travel to Washington and present a "united front" on peace in Ukraine to U.S. President Donald Trump.
The speculations were reinforced by a French government spokesperson who claimed that the trip is under consideration. The Elysee Palace later disputed this claim, saying that no new trip to Washington is planned "at this stage."
The news follows Zelensky's televised clash with Trump in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, which derailed the planned signing of a mineral deal and preceded Washington's decision to halt military aid for Ukraine.
Macron and Starmer, who visited Washington just days before Zelensky to sway Trump toward playing a role in Ukraine's post-war stability, have since then sought to mend the rift between Kyiv and the White House.
On March 4, the same day he held a phone call with Starmer, Zelensky issued a statement in which he called the Oval Office clash "regrettable" while voicing readiness to work toward peace under Trump's "strong leadership."
Zelensky also proposed initial steps toward peace, including the release of prisoners and a ceasefire in the air and sea, a proposal that was previously mentioned by Macron.
During his address to Congress, Trump said he "appreciates" Zelensky's statement but made no direct comment on the aid freeze or the proposed truce.
Starmer and Macron have shaped up to be leading voices in the efforts to boost Europe's own defense capabilities and assistance for Ukraine, spearheading a plan to deploy thousands of peacekeepers in the country to monitor a potential ceasefire.
Abbey Fenbert
