President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Saturday how much they agree with each other on world issues, including the war in Ukraine, despite the two countries expressing sharply different views on Israel and Hamas’s fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The two presidents, who briefly appeared before reporters after a two-day memorial service, mentioned their sharp differences on Middle East issues without taking any questions. Instead, both argued for the continued strength of the U.S.-French partnership on climate, the economy, European security and cultural ties.
“Today I stand proudly with France in support of freedom and democracy around the world,” President Biden said as the two men emerged from a closed-door meeting at the Elysee Palace.
“There is a consensus on the war going on in Ukraine,” President Macron said, adding, “I hope all G7 members will agree to a $50 billion solidarity fund for Ukraine.” nations.
The French president’s comments suggested the two leaders had reached common ground on a plan to provide Ukraine with up to $50 billion in advance loans using profits from frozen Russian assets. U.S. officials attending the meeting said France was a major supporter of such a plan and hoped to gain support during the Paris visit.
In Gaza, President Macron noted his government’s support for Israel’s ceasefire proposal, which President Biden strongly supports. But the French president also directly called on Israel to do more to provide support to Palestinians suffering from government bombing.
“It is unacceptable for Israel to not open all checkpoints for humanitarian aid for months, as requested by the international community,” President Macron said. He said Israeli operations in Gaza “must stop.”
France has supported the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gaza Hamas leader Yahia Shinwar. Mr. Biden, by contrast, denounced the effort as an unconscionable comparison of the two leaders. France also voted at the United Nations in May to include Palestine as a full member, a move opposed by the United States.
Neither Mr. Biden nor Mr. Macron mentioned their differences on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a break with custom when a U.S. president meets a foreign leader, French and U.S. reporters were not allowed to ask questions after Saturday’s statement, which lasted 16 minutes. In most cases, the two leaders allow reporters from each country to ask at least two questions.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to explain Saturday why that was not the case.
“This was an agreement that had already been reached,” he told reporters earlier this week. “As you know, everything is done between the two sides, whether it’s a bilateral meeting or this state visit. And in the discussions and planning for this visit, it was decided that what they would do is they would come out and make a statement to the press.”
Despite the tension in the relationship, President Macron’s warm embrace of President Biden stands in stark contrast to the atmosphere during President Donald J. Trump’s visit in November 2018. At the time, just minutes before Air Force One landed in Paris, President Trump posted a message. Online, President Macron criticized the comment as “very insulting.” Macron delivered a speech denouncing nationalism just weeks after President Trump declared himself an American nationalist.
On the other hand, President Macron praised President Biden on Saturday as a “partner who respects Europeans,” which sounds like a line that distinguishes him from President Trump, who often disparaged European leaders. President Macron said, “Thank you for being on Europe’s side.”
“You’ve become a good friend,” Mr. Biden said in response.
