Macron and Trump Agree to Push for Halt to Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy and Civilian Infrastructure, Discuss Reinforcing Kyiv’s Defenses

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that he and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed coordinated efforts to halt strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure and to bolster Kyiv’s defenses. Speaking in New York after the bilateral meeting, Macron said Paris and Washington were prepared to work together to bring an end to attacks that imperil the civilian population and essential services.

Macron wrote on the social platform X that France and the United States are ready to make joint efforts “to achieve a stop to attacks against Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure.” He emphasized that protecting the civilian population is a priority and called for the earliest possible start to serious negotiations between Russia and Ukraine over peace conditions.

In remarks to journalists following his meeting with President Trump, Macron said the two leaders agreed on supporting Ukraine in strengthening its defensive capabilities. He said the talks included a discussion of supplying Kyiv with additional surface-to-air missiles and other air-defense resources to better defend against Russian aerial attacks. Macron framed the assistance as necessary to protect civilians and critical services from further strikes.

Macron’s meeting with Trump in New York followed a separate encounter the same evening with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky, who had earlier met with U.S. lawmakers, renewed his call for the swift implementation of new sanctions against Russia, telling U.S. legislators that he wanted the sanctions to “start working” as soon as possible.

The exchanges reflect a dual-track approach by Western leaders: immediate steps to reduce harm to civilians by reinforcing Ukraine’s defenses and sustained diplomatic pressure aimed at achieving a negotiated end to hostilities. Macron’s public insistence on initiating “serious negotiations” between the belligerents underlines growing concern in Paris about the humanitarian toll of attacks on energy grids and civilian infrastructure.

The focus on energy infrastructure underscores the wider humanitarian implications of the conflict. Strikes against power plants, heating systems and other utilities have direct effects on civilian life, particularly in colder months, and international leaders have repeatedly framed protection of such infrastructure as a matter of international humanitarian law and civilian protection.

While Macron did not detail exact quantities or timelines for additional air-defense shipments, his statements indicate a commitment by France and the United States to coordinate assistance. At the same time, Zelensky’s appeal to American lawmakers for faster and firmer sanctions highlights Kyiv’s continued urgency for both defensive military aid and punitive measures aimed at Russia.

The meetings in New York thus combined immediate security assistance discussions with broader diplomatic efforts. Macron’s call for accelerated peace negotiations and for civilian protection, alongside the prospect of increased air-defense support and pressure for new sanctions, signal continued Western engagement to reduce civilian harm and seek accountability amid the ongoing conflict.