US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in New York on Monday as world leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly, with the war in Ukraine expected to feature prominently in their discussions.
According to Trump’s schedule, the meeting is set for 5:35 pm local time (2135 GMT).
A French official said the meeting would provide an opportunity for Macron to have a direct discussion with Trump ahead of the high-level UN General Assembly sessions.
“It is always a good opportunity to set the tone before the start of this high-level week of the General Assembly, and to have a discussion with the president of the United States with total candor, as (Macron) always does,” the official said.
The official added that the talks could also be used to discuss the next steps on Ukraine and efforts to increase pressure on Russia.
“As in all critical moments, this will be an opportunity to guide President Trump toward the right decisions, particularly regarding Ukraine, to maintain the effort to support Ukraine and to step up the pressure on Russia.”
Macron is travelling to New York after visiting Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a small French territory off the Atlantic coast of Canada, where he met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. AFP reported that the visit was part of Macron’s diplomatic engagements ahead of his US meetings.
The French president is also expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Zelensky has separately confirmed plans for a meeting with Trump in New York during the UN gathering.
The annual General Assembly is bringing together world leaders in New York amid major international issues, including the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Source: AFP
