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Jun 19, 20261
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Macron Says Trump Changed Mind on Ukraine War After Initially Believing Ukraine Would Lose
French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that Donald Trump initially believed Ukraine would lose the war with Russia after taking office in early 2025, but has since changed his view following pressure from European leaders and evidence of Ukrainian resilience. The announcement came at a G7 summit in mid-June 2026 where Trump was also present.

Quick Facts
Who
Emmanuel Macron
What
Trump initially believed Ukraine would lose the war
When
Early 2025
Where
White House Oval Office
- Trump initially believed Ukraine would lose the war
- Trump changed his position on Ukraine
- European leaders convinced Trump to reconsider
- Trump proposed trading Strait of Hormuz mine clearance for Ukraine support
- Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Donald Trump, upon returning to the White House in early 2025, initially believed Ukraine would lose its war with Russia but has since reversed that position. Speaking to France TV on June 19, 2026, Macron described how Trump's early pessimism stemmed from a difficult meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, followed by a summit between Trump and Putin that generated hopes for a deal requiring Ukraine to cede territories it had not yet lost. Macron said Trump was told that Ukrainians would "fall" and "not survive the winter," predictions that proved incorrect.
Macron credited European leaders with convincing Trump to reconsider. Following a Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage, European leaders traveled to Washington to persuade the U.S. president that such a territorial arrangement was unacceptable. "Since then, a huge distance has been covered," Macron said, "and this path is above all the victory of the Ukrainians."
These comments came during a G7 summit held in France on June 16-17, 2026, where Zelenskyy was present and met with both Trump and Macron. According to reports, Trump used the occasion to call on fellow G7 leaders to assist the United States with mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz, offering Ukrainian support as an incentive for their participation. The shift in Trump's stated position marks a notable change from his initial skepticism about Ukraine's prospects.
Why This Matters
This shift reveals how U.S. strategic thinking on Ukraine has evolved within months and demonstrates the influence of allied pressure and ground realities on American foreign policy. For readers and policymakers, it signals that Trump's initial isolationist or deal-focused approach to Ukraine gave way to recognition of Ukrainian military capability and European security concerns, potentially affecting U.S. aid commitments and NATO coordination going forward.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 16, 2026
WireG7 summit held in France; Trump, Macron, and Zelenskyy attend; Trump proposes Strait of Hormuz mine clearance cooperation
Jun 19, 2026
WireMacron tells France TV that Trump has changed his position on Ukraine war