Reunión con Macron en el Elíseo
In Paris, the U.S. secretary of state pressed for continued support to Ukraine, emphasizing that Kyiv must receive essential resources to defend itself. The call came as he met with France’s defense minister and other senior officials, underscoring the urgency of providing ammunition and air defense systems. The visit included a tour near Versailles of a French military vehicle factory, illustrating Paris’s contribution to Kyiv’s defense efforts.
The ongoing military assistance package from the United States, totaling sixty billion dollars, faces obstacles in Congress due to partisan divisions. European governments are responding by stepping up their own production and export capabilities to sustain Ukraine. This stance was highlighted at a February 26 summit in Paris, which also featured contentious remarks from the French president regarding the possible deployment of Western troops to Ukrainian soil.
“It is essential to maintain aid to Ukraine so it can defend itself against aggression,” the American secretary of state stated during a late-afternoon press briefing with the French defense minister. He expressed hope that the U.S. package would be approved promptly after lawmakers return from a recess, with a scheduled return date around early April.
Following Paris, the secretary planned a stop in Brussels for a NATO summit marking the alliance’s 75th anniversary. Prior to the plans, he had a late-evening talk at the Élysée with the French president, who shares concerns about Ukraine and the risk of a renewed Russian push. The U.S. official asserted that Ukraine will join NATO eventually, but a clear roadmap is needed to get there. France’s leader defended Ukrainian actions as legitimate defense after strikes deep inside Russian territory, including an attack on an oil facility in Tatarstan, arguing that Ukraine’s actions respond to aggression from Moscow.
Una revisión rápida e independiente
The Ukraine war dominated the secretary’s European itinerary, yet other crises also featured prominently. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with thousands of casualties, along with crises in Sudan and Haiti, were discussed with European counterparts. Leaders emphasized a need for swift, independent investigations into incidents that raised questions about civilian harm and accountability.
The U.S. secretary called for a prompt, impartial inquiry into a deadly bombing that resulted in multiple World Central Kitchen volunteers losing their lives. The incident drew attention to the dangers faced by aid workers in conflict zones. The Israeli government acknowledged the casualties but described them as unintended in the context of ongoing military operations. The discussion included concerns about civilian protection and the broader implications for regional stability, with emphasis on minimizing civilian harm while pursuing security objectives.
As debate continued about the appropriate level of military support, the secretary stressed that Israel must have the means to defend itself. French counterparts echoed the sentiment that strategic decisions must balance immediate security needs with broader regional risks, including tensions with Iran and regional actors. The conversations reflected a shared interest in preventing wider conflagrations while ensuring aid to civilians and frontline forces remains uninterrupted.
Throughout the discussions, the emphasis remained on practical steps to stabilize the situation, coordinate international responses, and maintain a steady flow of defense resources to allies facing aggression. The dialogue highlighted a coalition approach, with partners weighing the risks of escalation against the humanitarian and strategic imperatives of supporting Ukraine while seeking to avoid broader regional spillovers.