France's Macron seeks to be a mediator in G-7 hard times
Posted August 21, 2019 7:00 am
PARIS (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron hosts the G-7 summit this weekend fresh off a meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin, hoping to maintain his image as a global mediator at a time of deep political and economic insecurity in the world and despite President Donald Trump's open disdain for multilateral talks.
So far Macron's had little to show for his efforts and many are skeptical about any concrete G-7 outcome amid the diverging views of Europe and the United States.
Trump and other leaders of the Group of Seven nations will meet Saturday for three days in the southwestern French resort town of Biarritz. France holds the 2019 presidency of the G-7, which besides the U.S. also includes Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan.
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, his wife Brigitte, welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin at the fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo during their meeting at the fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin adjust their earphones at the fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Gerard Julien, Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their meeting at the fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, gestures with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of their meeting at the fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron pose for a photo during their meeting at the fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, pose for a photo during their meeting at the fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Fort of Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, Monday Aug. 19, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting to discuss the world's major crises, including Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and try to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union. (Gerard Julien, Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.