Emmanuel Macron fact-checked Donald Trump over the aid the US has sent to Ukraine yesterday during a joint press conference.
It comes as Europe grapples with the White House’s decision to side with Russia in its push to end the conflict, which breaks with the west’s united backing for Kyiv.
The US has shocked its western allies by blaming Ukraine for Russia’s invasion and hinting that Kyiv may have to cede land to Vladimir Putin in exchange for peace.
Then, on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, during a day of talks with Macron, the US president told a press conference that the US had provided most of the aid – around $350bn – to Kyiv.
But his French counterpart quickly put a hand on Trump’s arm to cut in and correct him.
Macron pointed out Europe had actually contributed 60% of all aid to Ukraine so far.
Trump said to reporters: “Just so you understand, Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine, so they get their money back.”
Macron interrupted: “No, in fact, to be frank, we paid. We paid 60% of the total effort. Like the US, loans, guarantees, grants, and we provided real money.”
He added: “If at the end of the negotiation, they are ready to give it to us, super, it will loan at the end of the day, and we will have paid for that.”
Trump then spoke directly to the media and said: “If you believe that, it’s OK with me. But they get their money back and we don’t.”
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