Biden calls France the “first friend” of the US during a state visit to the European country

President Joe Biden He said that France was the “first friend” of USA at its founding and who is one of its closest allies more than two centuries later, during a state visit with the aim of showing its partnership on global security issues and easing past trade tensions.

“United we resist, divided we fall,” said French President Emmanuel Macron when toasting Biden at a state dinner. “We are allies and we will remain allies.”

Biden and Macron attended the ceremonies on Thursday 80th anniversary of D-Dayand the next day they met separately with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Paris. Both leaders used these commitments to underscore the urgent need to support the struggle of Kyiv against the Russian invasion.

But Macron and Biden have often complained about the pace of aid to Ukraine, especially when the United States, the largest contributor to kyiv’s defense, was forced to halt aid shipments for months while congressional Republicans held up a package. of assistance.

The state visit began on Saturday with a ceremony at the Arch of Triumph, which included a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, and a military parade along the Champs-Élysées to the Elysée Palace, where both held official meetings and made public statements. Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macronhosted a state dinner at the palace for Biden and his wife, Jill.

Biden and Macron put the war in Ukraine high on Saturday’s agenda, but the strength of the countries’ long alliance set the tone for the weekend.

Biden, who described himself as a student of French history, called the visit a “great honor” and recalled that US ties with France date back to the War of Independence.

“France was our first friend,” Biden said. “He is still one of our best friends.”

Macron praised Biden not only for being the leader of a world power, but also for bringing the “clarity and loyalty of a partner who loves and respects Europeans.”

It seemed like a subtle criticism of the former president donald trump, whose “America First” foreign policy has dismayed European rulers. He now faces the possibility of his return to power next year if the presumptive Republican nominee defeats the Democratic nominee in the November election.