President-elect Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ahead of Saturday's reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The three met inside the Elysée Palace, and a photo was released showing President Trump expressionless while President Macron put his hand on President Zelenskiy's arm while he was seated. The French president gave President Zelensky a reassuring look.
President Trump landed at Orly Airport in Paris on Saturday at the invitation of Macron. The cathedral was damaged by a devastating fire in 2019. The exact cause of the fire is still not fully understood.
Ahead of the ceremony, President Trump praised French leaders, declaring that they had “done a great job, and an even greater job, in ensuring that Notre Dame was restored to its full level of glory.” It's going to be a very special day for everyone! ”
A Kensington Palace spokesperson told British media that Prince William will also meet with First Lady Jill Biden, and is expected to focus on the importance of the US-UK relationship.
The three-way meeting will be the first face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Trump since Zelensky won the presidential election in November.
On the campaign trail, President Trump vowed to end the nearly three-year war sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine by forcing a peace deal, and said on the campaign trail that Kiev's dependence on U.S. weaponry meant the conflict would end. He claimed he could finish it in one day.
But Mr. Macron, Mr. Zelensky and other European leaders have tried to persuade the president-elect not to abandon support for Ukraine in the ongoing battle, and that he will eventually move to Kiev once he takes office in January. I hope that they will push for an end to the war that will be advantageous to them.
Earlier this week, the Ukrainian delegation in Washington met with Congressman Mike Walz, the incoming national security adviser, and Keith Kellogg, President Trump's pick to be special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine and Russia have been embroiled in a long-standing conflict, and President Trump promised on the campaign trail to quickly resolve the conflict.
President Trump famously soured relations with European leaders during his first term, frequently clashing over issues such as climate change and NATO funding contributions.
with post wire
