World Leaders Welcome Macron's French Election Win

French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP
French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP
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World Leaders Welcome Macron's French Election Win

French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP
French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (R) holds his fist in the air as he holds Brigitte Macron’s hand after his victory in France’s presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. AFP

World leaders rushed to congratulate France's centrist President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election and defeat of far-right leader Marine Le Pen in elections Sunday.

Here are some of the main reactions according to AFP:

- European Union -"I am delighted to be able to continue our excellent cooperation," tweeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"We can count on France for five more years," European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter.

- United States -"France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges," US President Joe Biden tweeted. "I look forward to our continued close cooperation -- including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also congratulated Macron.

"We look forward to continuing close cooperation with France on global challenges, underpinning our long and enduring Alliance and friendship," he wrote.

- Germany -Chancellor Olaf Scholz said French voters "have sent a strong vote of confidence in Europe today. I am happy that we will continue our good cooperation".

- Britain -Prime Minister Boris Johnson called France "one of our closest and most important allies" and said he looked forward "to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world".

- Ukraine -President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has spoken with Macron several times since Russia's invasion on February 24, called Macron a "true friend of Ukraine".

"I wish him further success for the sake of the (French) people. I appreciate his support and I am convinced that we are moving together towards new common victories," he wrote in both Ukrainian and French.

- Russia -Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote in a telegram: "I sincerely wish you success in your state activities, as well as good health and well-being," according to a statement from the Kremlin.

- Algeria -President Abdelmadjid Tebboune congratulated Macron on his "brilliant" victory and invited him to visit Algeria soon "to intensify and broaden" relations which have been fraught in recent times between France and its neighboring former colony.

- China -China President Xi Jinping said he would "like to continue working with President Macron to maintain diplomatic relations based on independence, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit". according to a readout from state broadcaster CCTV.

- Australia -Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Macron's victory was a "great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times".

"We wish you and France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific," he tweeted, using an alternative name for the Asia-Pacific region.

In November, Macron accused his Australian counterpart of lying over a multi-billion-dollar submarine contract that Canberra scrapped without warning.

- Canada -Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was "looking forward to continuing our work together on the issues that matter most to people in Canada and France -- from defending democracy, to fighting climate change, to creating good jobs and economic growth for the middle class".

- India -Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his "friend" on being re-elected and said "I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership."

- Japan -Tweeting in French, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrote: "We will strengthen our close cooperation with President Macron in various areas, such as the Indo-Pacific region and the Russian aggression against Ukraine."

- Italy -Prime Minister Mario Draghi described Macron's victory as "great news for all of Europe".

- Spain -"The citizens have chosen a France committed to a free, strong and fair EU. Democracy wins. Europe wins," tweeted socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. "Congratulations Emmanuel Macron."

- Belgium -Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said French voters had made a "strong choice", opting for "certainty and Enlightenment values".

- UN bodies -UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi sent his "warm congratulations" and said his organization would continue to count on Macron's support on the European and world stage "as humanitarian challenges and refugee crises become more serious and complex every day".

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he looked forward to "continuing the important partnership" with France "for a healthier, safer, fairer world".

- Ireland -Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed Macron's "principled and dynamic leadership" as "important not only for France, but for Europe".

- Switzerland -President Ignazio Cassis said he looked forward to "continuing our good collaboration," stressing the close ties between the two neighboring countries.

- Sweden -Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson sent her "warmest congratulations".

"Let's continue our close cooperation -- bilaterally and for a competitive, green and resilient European Union," she tweeted.

- African Union -African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat congratulated Macron over "his brilliant re-election", saying he hoped to continue building "mutually beneficial relations between Africa and France".



Rubio, Mexico Foreign Minister Speak after Trump Threatens Land Attacks on Cartels

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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Rubio, Mexico Foreign Minister Speak after Trump Threatens Land Attacks on Cartels

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente on Sunday, days after President Donald Trump threatened land strikes on drug cartels ‌that he ‌said were ‌running ⁠Mexico.

"Secretary of ‌State Marco Rubio spoke today with Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente to discuss the ⁠need for stronger cooperation to ‌dismantle Mexico’s violent narcoterrorists ‍networks and ‍stop the trafficking ‍of fentanyl and weapons," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday she ⁠had tasked Fuente with strengthening coordination with the United States, following Trump's threat, which became more worrying after US forces attacked Venezuela last weekend and captured its president, Nicolas Maduro, according to Reuters.


North Korea Says 'Shameless' US Making Mockery of UN

A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
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North Korea Says 'Shameless' US Making Mockery of UN

A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

North Korea condemned on Monday what it called "shameless" moves by the United States that it said undermined the United Nations and accused Washington of a "hideous criminal act".

Pyongyang's mission to the United Nations in New York blasted reported plans for a briefing on its alleged violations of sanctions, in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

Instead, it said, "what should be questioned and openly discussed in the UN as the most important pending issue is the hideous criminal act of the US".

"The US despises the existence of the UN itself," Pyongyang said.

Pyongyang's envoys did not specify the act in question, but the statement comes just over a week after the United States' capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

That operation represents a nightmare scenario for North Korea's leadership, which has long feared a so-called "decapitation strike" of that kind and accused Washington of seeking to remove it from power.

Washington's "irrationality and malpractice of abusing the UN arena to satisfy its geopolitical self-interest should never be allowed", North Korea's mission said.

It also accused Washington of "shameless illegal and immoral acts" and "trying to make a mockery of the UN arena for unilateral and selfish purposes".

President Donald Trump last week announced the United States would leave a number of United Nations organizations it identified as "contrary to the interests of the United States".

North Korea is under a slew of United Nations Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and missile program.


Trump Says Weighing Tough Response to Iran Crackdown

A demonstrator holds a burning photo of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during a protest in support of the Iranian people outside Downing Street, as protests have spread across Iran since the end of December in response to soaring inflation and protesters demanding an end to clerical rule, in London, Britain, January 11, 2026. REUTERS/Chris J Ratcliffe
A demonstrator holds a burning photo of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during a protest in support of the Iranian people outside Downing Street, as protests have spread across Iran since the end of December in response to soaring inflation and protesters demanding an end to clerical rule, in London, Britain, January 11, 2026. REUTERS/Chris J Ratcliffe
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Trump Says Weighing Tough Response to Iran Crackdown

A demonstrator holds a burning photo of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during a protest in support of the Iranian people outside Downing Street, as protests have spread across Iran since the end of December in response to soaring inflation and protesters demanding an end to clerical rule, in London, Britain, January 11, 2026. REUTERS/Chris J Ratcliffe
A demonstrator holds a burning photo of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during a protest in support of the Iranian people outside Downing Street, as protests have spread across Iran since the end of December in response to soaring inflation and protesters demanding an end to clerical rule, in London, Britain, January 11, 2026. REUTERS/Chris J Ratcliffe

President Donald Trump said the US may meet Iranian officials and was in contact with the opposition, as he weighed a range of strong responses including military options to escalating unrest posing one of the biggest challenges to clerical rule since the 1979 Iranian Revolution

Trump said Iran called to negotiate its nuclear program, which Israel and the US bombed in a 12-day war in June. Trump has warned Iran's leaders that the United States would attack if security forces open fire on protesters.

US-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested.

Iran has not given an official toll and Reuters was unable to independently verify the tallies.

Trump was to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss options for Iran, a US official told Reuters on Sunday. The Wall Street Journal had reported ‌that options included ‌military strikes, using secret cyber weapons, widening sanctions and providing online help to anti-government ‌sources.

"The ⁠military is looking ‌at it, and we're looking at some very strong options," Trump told reporters travelling on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against "a miscalculation."

"Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target," said Qalibaf, a former commander in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards.

DOZENS OF BODY BAGS The protests began on December 28 in response to soaring prices, before turning against the clerical rulers who have governed since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Iranian authorities accused the US and Israel of fomenting trouble and called for a ⁠nationwide rally on Monday to condemn "terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel," state media reported. The flow of information from Iran has been hampered by ‌an internet blackout since Thursday. Trump said on Sunday he would talk to ‍Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran through his ‍Starlink satellite service.

Footage posted on social media on Saturday from Tehran showed large crowds marching at night, clapping ‍and chanting. The crowd "has no end nor beginning," a man is heard saying.

State TV showed dozens of body bags on the ground at the Tehran coroner's office, saying the dead were victims of events caused by "armed terrorists", as well as footage of loved ones gathered outside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre in Tehran waiting to identify bodies.

Reuters verified the locations.

Authorities on Sunday declared three days of national mourning "in honor of martyrs killed in resistance against the United States and the Zionist regime," according to state media.

Three Israeli sources, who were present for Israeli security consultations over the weekend, said Israel was ⁠on a high-alert footing for the possibility of any US intervention. Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war in June 2025, which the United States briefly joined by attacking nuclear installations. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel and an American air base in Qatar.

'RIOTERS AND TERRORISTS' While Iranian authorities have weathered previous protests, the latest have unfolded with Tehran still recovering from last year's war and with its regional position weakened by blows to allies such as Lebanon's Hezbollah since the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel. Iran's unrest comes as Trump flexes US muscles internationally, having ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and discussing acquiring Greenland by purchase or force.

Alan Eyre, a former US diplomat and Iran expert, thought it unlikely the protests would topple the establishment.

"I think it more likely that it puts these protests down eventually, but emerges from the process far weaker," he told Reuters, noting that Iran's elite still appeared cohesive and there was no organized opposition.

Trump, posting on social media on Saturday, said: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, ‌perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!"