IRIA News

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump visited Paris over the weekend to attend a ceremony marking the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Trump also met with French President Macron, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and Prince William, underscoring his upcoming diplomatic agenda.

The main event of Trump’s Paris visit was the celebration of Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening, five years after the fire that nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump with a grand ceremony at the Elysee Palace, the French president’s official residence. As the leaders posed for cameras, Macron made a show of the partnership, offering multiple handshakes and exchanges of pleasantries. Trump reciprocated the warm reception, describing it as “a great honor” and emphasizing their “great relationship.”

Before their private discussion, Trump remarked, “It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now. And we’ll be talking about that.” Macron’s office confirmed that the meeting covered the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and other global crises.

Trump also praised Macron’s leadership in restoring Notre Dame Cathedral, which suffered a devastating fire in 2019. “Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!” Trump said.

United States, Ukraine, and France. Together on this historic day. Gathered for Notre-Dame. Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security. pic.twitter.com/hEYGEklihT

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 7, 2024

Macron’s invitation to Trump, framed as part of a tradition of inviting leaders from “friendly nations,” demonstrated his intent to solidify a working relationship with the incoming administration. Meanwhile, security across Paris was heightened, with more than 20 French security agents and Secret Service personnel ensuring Trump’s safety.

Meeting with Zelenskyy

Trump held a significant meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his Paris visit. The encounter came at a pivotal moment, as Zelenskyy seeks to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Trump’s position on the conflict has been closely scrutinized. He has pledged to end the war “swiftly” but has provided few details on how this would be achieved, sparking concerns in Kyiv about potential concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, met with key members of Trump’s team earlier in the week to lay the groundwork for collaboration. A senior Ukrainian official described these preliminary talks as “productive,” though specifics remained undisclosed.

In Paris, Trump was reportedly keen to reassure Ukraine of continued American support while advocating for a resolution to the conflict. Macron’s involvement further underscored the importance of European unity in addressing the war.

Meeting with Prince William

Trump’s Paris agenda also included a meeting with Prince William, reflecting the ongoing significance of U.S.-UK relations. The British royal palace confirmed that the meeting was intended to foster dialogue on shared priorities, though details of their conversation were not made public.

Prince William also met with First Lady Jill Biden, who attended the Notre Dame reopening in place of President Joe Biden, citing a scheduling conflict. Trump’s interaction with William highlighted his continued focus on cultivating global alliances.

Trump’s meetings in Paris underscored the global anticipation surrounding his second presidency. Macron’s grand welcome, Zelenskyy’s outreach, and the symbolic gathering at Notre Dame all highlighted the diplomatic challenges and opportunities awaiting the Trump administration.

With key issues like the war in Ukraine, Middle East tensions, and transatlantic relations on the table, Trump’s return to the international stage signals a complex but critical moment for global diplomacy.