President Donald Trump stated that “a lot of progress has been made” toward ending the war in Ukraine following a call with Group of Seven (G7) leaders, during which French President Emmanuel Macron joined him at the White House.

Macron called for an emergency gathering of world leaders after the Trump administration excluded European countries from participating in direct negotiations over the war between Ukraine and Russia. On Monday, Macron traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Trump in person.

Macron arrived at the White House at approximately 8 a.m. local time and remained inside for several hours. Upon his departure, he signaled to reporters with a thumbs-up gesture and described the phone call with the G7 leaders as “perfect.”

“President Macron is a very special man in my book,” Trump said while sitting alongside the French president. “We were together. We did it together. And I think a lot of progress has been made. We’ve had some very good talks with Russia. We’ve had some very good talks with others, and we’re trying to get the war ended with Russia and Ukraine,” Fox reports.

Trump also noted that he and Macron discussed trade, stating, “And we were also talking about trade, various trade deals that we will be doing with France. And again, the relationships have been very special with France and very special with this gentleman on my right. And we look forward to keeping that going for a long period of time.”

Macron echoed the sentiment, saying, “We do share the objective of peace” in Ukraine, “but we are very aware of the necessity to have guarantees and solid peace in order to stabilize the situation.”

Regarding his relationship with Trump, Macron added, “And we are personal friends, as you mentioned it, because we work very well together. And I think the U.S. and France always stand on the same side – the right side, I would say, of history. And this is exactly what’s at stake today.”

Macron also emphasized that this was a critical moment for Europe, stating, “And, I’m here as well, after discussions with all my colleagues, to say that Europe is willing to step up to be a stronger partner, to do more in defense and security for this continent, and as well to be a reliable partner and to be engaged in trade, economy, investment.”

Following their remarks, Trump and Macron proceeded to a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, with a joint press conference scheduled afterward.

Trump later posted on Truth Social about the G7 call, stating that it was convened by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “to acknowledge the Third Anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine War – Which would have never started if I was President.”

“Everyone expressed their goal of seeing the War end, and I emphasized the importance of the vital ‘Critical Minerals and Rare-Earths Deal’ between the United States and Ukraine, which we hope will be signed very soon! This deal, which is an ‘Economic Partnership,’ will ensure the American people recoup the Tens of Billions of Dollars and Military Equipment sent to Ukraine, while also helping Ukraine’s economy grow as this Brutal and Savage War comes to an end,” Trump wrote.

“At the same time, I am in serious discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia concerning the ending of the War, and also major Economic Development transactions which will take place between the United States and Russia. Talks are proceeding very well!” he added.

Trump also announced during his remarks with Macron that “I will be meeting with President Zelenskyy” of Ukraine. “In fact, he may come in this week or next week to sign the agreement, which would be nice.”

Monday marked the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump had previously criticized Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not taking action to end the war since 2022.