The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has explained that he has had "a very good conversation" with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in which both have analyzed "different diplomatic solutions" to a "global agreement" in order to facilitate the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The passage continues to be conditioned by the restrictions imposed by Iran and by the naval device of the United States in front of the Islamic Republic.
Macron indicated at the end of the meeting that "we have had a very fruitful conversation that has allowed us to address both the crisis in the Middle East and our willingness to do everything possible to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow the exit" of goods.
In this sense, the head of the Élysée has pointed out that "there are several solutions that have been raised." According to him, "there are diplomatic solutions that we will work on in the coming hours, which would allow, without the need for a global agreement, to find ways to facilitate the passage of more container ships and oil tankers."
The French leader has added that, in addition, both leaders have addressed "the situation in the Red Sea," referring to the effect of the presence of Houthi rebel militias on the coast and on the Yemeni islands near the Strait of Bab el Mandeb after the capture of several strategic territories.
In this context, Macron has detailed that they have examined "how to improve the security of the oil exit points in the Red Sea, which are also important for global prices," emphasizing that the goal is to do so "without entering into confrontation or escalation."
Macron and Trump discuss the war in Ukraine and energy
In parallel, the French president has explained that his meeting with the occupant of the White House also included "a long conversation about Ukraine and Russia, and about the need to help our Ukrainian friends more quickly and intensely regarding interceptors, as this is the key point from a defensive point of view."
Macron has added that "Likewise, we have naturally discussed again the initiatives that could be undertaken to achieve a moratorium on energy issues," referring to a possible halt in attacks on energy infrastructure exchanged between Kiev and Moscow, a matter he also plans to discuss "in the coming hours" with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
"If we can achieve it, I think it is a good goal, but first I want to discuss it with President Zelensky," he pointed out, advancing that "tomorrow there will be new conversations with the Americans and the Ukrainians, and that is what will be proposed."
The French leader has also indicated that he has not discussed with Trump the recent alliance agreed between France and Canada in terms of security, energy, and defense. He emphasized that his "goal" in New York, in general terms, is to "make progress in the coming days" through a series of contacts that, although they can "accelerate" their pace due to the presence in this American city of numerous heads of state and government, "had already begun before and will continue" once the meeting is concluded.