President Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France insisted on Saturday that they agree with each other on world affairs, including the war in Ukraine, although their countries have expressed very different views on the fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
Appearing briefly together in front of reporters after two days of commemorating D-Day and hours before a lavish state dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris, the two presidents refused to answer any questions and talked about their differences on the Middle East. However, both sides emphasized the strength of the American-French partnership on climate, economy, European security and cultural ties.
“Today, I am proud to stand with France in support of freedom and democracy around the world,” Mr Biden said, as the two men left a closed-door meeting at the Élysée Palace.
“We see with our eyes the war raging in Ukraine,” Mr. Macron noted, and he added that he hoped “all members of the G7 will agree to a solidarity fund of $50 billion for Ukraine,” referring to the Group of 7 industrialized. nations.
The French president’s comments suggested that the two leaders had reached common ground on plans to use proceeds from frozen Russian assets to provide upfront loans of up to $50 billion to Ukraine. American officials said at the meeting that France was a major supporter of the plan and hoped to gain support during a visit to Paris.
In Gaza, Mr Macron noted his government’s support for an Israeli ceasefire proposal backed by Mr Biden. But the French president also directly challenged Israel to do more to send aid to Palestinians suffering from government attacks.
“It is unacceptable that Israel does not open all its checkpoints for humanitarian aid, as the united international community has been asking for months,” Mr Macron said. He said Israel’s operations in Gaza “must stop.”
France has supported the decision of the International Criminal Court to seek warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza. In contrast, Mr. Biden condemned the attempt, calling it a disrespectful comparison of the two leaders. France also voted at the United Nations in May to include Palestine as a full member of the organization, which the United States opposed.
Neither Mr. Biden nor Mr. Macron mentioned any disagreements over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a departure from the usual practice when the American president meets with foreign leaders, journalists from France and the United States are not allowed to ask questions after the statements there, which lasted 16 minutes combined. In most cases, the two leaders allowed journalists from each country to ask at least two questions.
John Kirby, the national security spokesman for the White House, declined to explain what was missing on Saturday.
“This is an arrangement we have made,” he told reporters last week. “As you know, with a bilateral meeting or, in this case, a state visit, everything is launched between the two sides. And it was decided in the discussion and the plan for this visit is what they will do: they will go out and make a statement to the press.
Mr. Macron’s warm embrace of Mr. Biden despite tensions in the relationship was in stark contrast to the mood when President Donald J. Trump visited in November 2018. Just minutes before Air Force One landed in Paris, Mr. Trump sent a message. online accused Mr. Macron of being “very insulting.” Mr Macron then gave a speech attacking nationalism just weeks after Mr Trump declared himself an American nationalist.
On Saturday, by contrast, Mr. Macron praised Mr. Biden as a “respectful partner of Europeans,” a line that seemed at odds with Mr. Trump, who has often disparaged European leaders. “Thank you for being on Europe’s side,” Mr Macron said.
“You’ve been a good friend,” Mr. Biden said in response.