While he and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed their horror over Moscow's atrocities in its war against Ukraine, President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that he is open to speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Biden and Macron underscored their unity against Putin's war on Ukraine at a White House press conference and vowed to keep opposing the conflict alongside other NATO members.
We will unite to oppose this savagery, and we will keep up our steadfast support for the Ukrainian people, stated Biden.
Although Biden said he had no imminent plans to speak with Putin, he made clear that he is willing to do so "if he has decided he's searching for a means to end the war."
Biden added, "He hasn't done it yet.
In such case, according to Biden, he would be "glad to sit down with Putin to see what he wants" or has in mind and would do so after consulting with France and other NATO partners.
While on a state visit to Washington, Macron stated that he and Biden intend to spend the following weeks and months working to increase their support for the Ukrainian military and the people of Ukraine.
According to Macron, it is crucial that the U.S. continue to help Ukraine for global stability. France has increased its economic, humanitarian, and military assistance to Ukraine.
In English, Macron said, "We will never press the Ukrainians to reach a solution that will not be acceptable to them. "If we want a lasting peace, we must recognise the Ukrainians' right to choose the circumstances and timing of any negotiations over their territory and future."
Macron noted that Ukraine had shown a "real willingness" to discuss a negotiated end to the war, citing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's suggested 10-point peace plan, in French through an English interpreter. Given that Putin is the one waging war, the "conditions" the president of Ukraine has set for talks are legitimate, according to Macron.
American cheeses with lobster from Maine
Later on Thursday, Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host the first state dinner of Biden's presidency at the White House to honour Macron and his wife, Brigitte. The meal aims to commemorate the longstanding relationship between the United States and France, its first ally.
The glamorous event is being held on the White House South Lawn in a heated pavilion, and more than 300 invited guests are anticipated to attend.
The red, white, and blue dinner's menu included beef with shallot marmalade, butter-poached Maine lobster, and a variety of American cheeses. Orange chiffon cake, roasted pears, and crème fraiche ice cream are served for dessert. For the toasts, American sparkling wine will be provided.
Visitors will arrive to the White House on trollies and be seated at a variety of square and rectangular tables with red candles, white irises, the official flower of France, and dark blue silk tablecloths.
Because place settings from the White House china collection cannot leave the executive house, rented dinnerware is being used.
An American-American détente
Biden and Macron hinted at a détente during their news conference on a subject that has angered the French: American subsidies to American manufacturers.
The Inflation Reduction Act, a comprehensive climate and health care law passed earlier this year that is one of Biden's accomplishments, contains the subsidies, which are given to products made in the United States. Macron claims that the subsidies are protectionist and harm European manufacturers.
Biden stated that "tweaks" may be made to the new law while Macron stood by his side.
Biden stressed that it was never his desire to exclude European businesses and expressed confidence that we could resolve some of the gaps that now exist.
The two presidents agreed to "resynchronize our methods" for investing in new industries, according to Macron, who also emphasised that he doesn't believe the U.S. intended to purposely exclude European businesses.
In the past, Macron had been more direct when he lamented that the subsidies "would fracture the West since they create such gaps between the U.S. and Europe" during a banquet at the French embassy on Wednesday night.
One year has passed since the two longtime friends engaged in a diplomatic dispute over a submarine agreement the Biden administration made with Australia and the U.K. Following the signing of the military agreement with the United States and Britain, Australia reneged on a deal to purchase submarines from France.
The French ambassador to the United States was sent back to Paris by Macron, who was so enraged that he took this extraordinary action. Macron's state visit this week is an effort, in part, to show the world that the dispute is over.
Earlier on Thursday, when the two presidents met in the Oval Office, Biden lavished praise on Macron.
He claimed that Emmanuel is not just the president of France but also one of the presidents of Europe. He has been extremely loud and extremely commanding in Europe.
The first state visit under the Biden administration, according to Macron, is "the best indication of this, actually, very long-term relationship and partnership."
The French president said, "When we look at our common history, this friendship always prevailed - with quite good results, by the way.
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