Summary
French President Emmanuel Macron publicly corrected Donald Trump in the Oval Office after Trump falsely claimed Europe was only “loaning” money to Ukraine.
Macron clarified that Europe provided 60% of Ukraine’s wartime aid as grants and guarantees, not loans. Trump smirked but did not contest the correction.
The exchange came as Trump softened his stance on Russia, including voting against a UN resolution for Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine.
It’s important that the few remaining civilized world leaders be seen to be unintimidated by Trump and Putin. It helps to break through his facade of being an invincible bully.