French president Emmanuel Macron said he is confident that the United States will join a global pledge for research to find a vaccine against the new coronavirus. World leaders, organizations and banks Yesterday pledged to give 7.4 billion euros during a videoconference summit hosted by the European Union.

The U.S., along with Russia, were notably absent from the event.
Macron, who donated 500 million euros on behalf of France, noted that the U.S. are on the sidelines but added that it doesn’t compromise or slow down the initiative.

Speaking from the Elysee palace, he said he discussed the issue with President Donald Trump and is convinced that the U.S. will at some point join the initiative, consisting in finding a vaccine as quickly as possible and making it available to all countries. Macron added that his government is in a permanent dialogue with the Trump administration and with American companies.