Commentators say French president’s visit to the White House was amicable – but that differences remain

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French political commentators reacted with cautious optimism after Emmanuel Macron’s meeting with Donald Trump on Monday, which was considered by some as a “last chance” to ensure a balanced and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Gérard Araud, a former French ambassador to the US, said the French president had undertaken what he called “mission impossible” but pointed out that Macron had experience of dealing with the volatile US leader.