Yet the immediate reaction from the delegation was tempered delight at the U.S. president’s sharp new tone. “It’s the hardest one so far,” quipped one EU official on site in New York, referring to the pro-Ukraine nature of Trump’s post. “I thought that was going to be the easiest one [war to stop] because of my relationship with Putin but unfortunately that relationship didn’t mean anything,” the U.S. president said. “I welcome the comments a few hours ago by the president of the United States, underscoring the progressive weakening of the Russian economy,” said Macron. “And I welcome seeing that the American president believe in Ukraine’s ability not just hold on, but to impose respect for its rights.”