THEO VAN GOGH: JUPITER MACRON THE CHIEF OF ALL-EUROPE (Not Scholz or Von der Leyhen or Michelle)

THE NEWS YORK TIMES : Good morning. We’re covering Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the U.S. and the week in culture.
President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Biden at the White House. Menu: The dinner, with more than 300 guests, included butter-poached Maine lobster, followed by beef with shallot marmalade and triple-cooked butter potatoes — as well as a course of American cheeses.
A united front from Biden and Macron
On a state visit from Emmanuel Macron, the French leader, President Biden said he would talk to Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, but only in consultation with NATO allies and only if Putin indicated he was “looking for a way to end the war.” It was a significant show of trans-Atlantic unity.
Macron said that France would increase its military support for Ukraine and “will never urge Ukrainians to make a compromise that will not be acceptable for them.” In effect, the two leaders met each other halfway, with Biden showing more openness to a negotiated settlement and Macron showing more unequivocal support for the Ukrainian cause.

 

French officials said that during their meeting, the two leaders agreed that more Ukrainian battlefield gains would constitute important leverage in any talks with Moscow. In practice, negotiation seems unlikely at a time when Putin has nothing he can call victory, and Ukraine has military momentum.
Tone: The pair, oozing camaraderie, referred to each other as “my friend,” “Emmanuel” and “Dear Joe” throughout the day.

 

Menu: The dinner, with more than 300 guests, included butter-poached Maine lobster, followed by beef with shallot marmalade and triple-cooked butter potatoes — as well as a course of American cheeses.