- French PM Bayrou calls Trump-Zelenskyy meeting a 'staggering brutality'
- Trump warned Ukraine to negotiate with Putin or lose US support
- European lawmakers applaud Zelenskyy's refusal to concede to Russia
- Bayrou declares current crisis Europe's worst since WWII
In an unprecedented parliamentary address, French Prime Minister François Bayrou delivered scathing criticism of former US President Donald Trump's alleged coercion tactics during Friday's Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The blistering condemnation marks a significant departure from France's traditionally measured diplomatic language toward its NATO ally.
Analysts suggest Bayrou's remarks reveal growing European anxiety about America's commitment to countering Russian expansionism. Historical context shows this as France's strongest rebuke of US leadership since Jacques Chirac opposed the 2003 Iraq invasion. Eastern European security experts warn that such public fractures could embolden Putin's territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine.
The parliamentary session saw rare cross-party unity as legislators stood applauding Zelenskyy's resistance to Trump's reported ultimatum. Bayrou emphasized that Europe now faces its most dangerous geopolitical landscape in eight decades, with Russia's full-scale invasion disrupting continental energy markets and migration patterns.
Three critical insights emerge from this diplomatic rupture: First, Macron's silence suggests internal EU policy divisions. Second, Germany's muted response highlights differing economic dependencies on Russian resources. Third, Poland's recent military buildup indicates Eastern Europe preparing for prolonged conflict regardless of US involvement.
Regional case studies demonstrate varied responses to the crisis. While Baltic states accelerate NATO base expansions, Southern European nations like Italy prioritize Mediterranean energy alternatives. France's vocal stance positions it as Europe's de facto diplomatic leader, potentially reshaping EU power dynamics ahead of June's critical Brussels summit.
Economic analysts project the political fallout could impact Franco-American trade relations, particularly in defense contracts and agricultural exports. Meanwhile, Ukrainian grain shipments through the Black Sea corridor have decreased 18% since the White House meeting, according to Odessa port authorities.
As European leaders debate increased military aid to Kyiv, Bayrou's speech signals potential policy shifts. France recently approved €650 million in artillery system exports to Ukraine, while pushing for EU-wide sanctions on Russian LNG imports. These developments suggest hardening continental resolve despite Washington's uncertain position.