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President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron to the White House on Thursday night for what marked the first ever state dinner since he took the Oval Office.
Mr Biden and Mr Macron raised a toast to strengthening relations between the two nations, with the US president saying: “Vive la France and God bless America.”
In joint remarks from the two leaders, Mr Macron said he was “honoured” to be welcomed on the first state visit of Mr Biden’s presidency.
“I’m extremely happy and honoured to be here for the first state visit of your administration,” he said.
“And this is, for me, the best evidence of this, indeed, very long-term friendship and partnership. And this is exactly the basis of — of our relation.”
The lavish dinner included Maine lobster and the event was decorated in red, blue and white in honour of the two countries.
The dinner came after Mr Biden said at a joint press conference that he would be willing to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine but that he wouldn’t do so without speaking to Nato allies.
“I’m prepared if he’s willing to talk to find out what he’s willing to do,” Mr Biden said earlier on Thursday. “But I’ll only do it in consultation with my NATO allies.”
Mr Biden’s expression of willingness to meet with the man he has previously called a “war criminal” who “cannot remain in power” at different points since Russia’s war on Ukraine began in late February came as he and Mr Macron pledged to continue American and French support for Ukraine’s fight against Russian invasion forces until Kyiv’s defence forces have emerged victorious.
