Biden, Macron ready to talk Ukraine, trade in state visit
WASHINGTON (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is headed to Washington for the first state visit of Joe Biden’s presidency — a revival of diplomatic pageantry that had been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Biden-Macron relationship had a choppy start. Macron briefly recalled France’s ambassador to the United States last year after the White House announced a deal to sell nuclear submarines to Australia, undermining a contract for France to sell diesel-powered submarines.
But the relationship has turned around with Macron emerging as one of Biden’s most forward-facing European allies in the Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This week’s visit — it will include Oval Office talks, a glitzy dinner, a news conference and more — comes at a critical moment for both leaders.
The leaders have a long agenda for their Thursday meeting at the White House, including Iran’s nuclear program, China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and growing concerns about security and stability in Africa’s Sahel region, according to U.S. and French officials. But front and center during their Oval Office meeting will be Russia’s war in Ukraine, as both Biden and Macron work to maintain economic and military support for Kyiv as it tries to repel Russian forces.
https://apnews.com/article/astronomy-biden-science-health-france-8f86bb87db731567307c29b62748cb7c
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I've been following on MSNBC and have so much pride that we have the strong & steady leadership of POTUS Biden - on the world stage as well as here at home hosting his first state dinner w Macron & the Mrs. It's so refreshing and full of the American tradition we're so used to, and not have to worry our POTUS w embarrass us whenever he opens his mouth.
Also loved how MJ (and they had the quinessential press Sec. Jen Psaki was also on) they expounded on the fact Biden is setting Macron/France up to be the new leader of Europe now that Angela Merkel is no longer in power in Germany. 