Biden welcomes 'unwavering partner' Macron at White House

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Thursday to celebrate more than 200 years of U.S.-French relations and a renewed alliance in fighting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Biden is hosting Macron at the first state visit since the U.S. leader took office in early 2021. Biden and his wife Jill greeted Macron and his wife Brigitte with hugs, kisses and broad smiles

The two couples, who dined together informally on Wednesday, took part in a South Lawn ceremony that featured a military honor guard, a red-jacketed colonial band with the Fife and Drum Corps and national anthems.

Biden welcomed France as "our oldest ally, our unwavering partner in freedom's cause" in opening remarks at the ceremony. Both leaders celebrated their countries' alliance against Russian President Putin and as defenders of democracy.