French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed US president-elect Donald Trump to Paris on Saturday with a full dose of presidential pomp as the two held a hastily arranged meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before celebrating the grand reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral.
On a day that mixed pageantry with attention to pressing global problems, Trump was warmly embraced by Macron upon arriving at the Elysee Palace.
“It’s a great honor for French people to welcome you five years later,” Macron told Trump. “Welcome back again.”
Photo: AFP
Trump said it was a “very great honor” to be there, while hinting at challenges ahead.
“It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now. And we’ll be talking about that,” Trump said.
A red carpet was rolled out for Trump as Macron bestowed the kind of full diplomatic welcome that France offers sitting US presidents, complete with trumpets blaring and members of the French Republican Guard in full uniform.
Photo: EPA-EFE
It was a clear sign that even though Trump does not take office until Jan. 20, Macron and other European leaders are already working to win his favor and treating him as the US’ representative on the world stage.
US President Joe Biden declined an invitation to attend the Notre-Dame ceremony, with the White House citing a scheduling conflict. US first lady Jill Biden was the official US representative in his place.
Macron and leaders across Europe are trying to persuade Trump to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Macron’s office said the war, along with conflicts in the Middle East, would be discussed.
As Trump arrived at the official residence of the French president, Macron went out of his way to project an image of close ties, offering handshakes and plenty of back-patting for the cameras.
In a video posted later on X, Macron could be heard asking Trump: “You remember?” as both men entered a reception room.
“I remember,” Trump said.
Trump spent about 90 minutes inside, meeting first with Macron before they were joined by Zelenskiy for about 35 minutes.
Macron had long planned to meet separately with Zelenskiy. The French president’s office said the three-way talks were proposed by Macron and arranged shortly before Trump’s arrival.
A person familiar with Trump’s plans had said before the meeting was announced that while Trump and Zelenskiy were attending the cathedral ceremony and surrounding events and probably would interact, Trump’s transition team had not worked with the Ukrainians to schedule formal talks.
The three leaders spoke in English, and a translator was in the room, a French official said.
Accompanying Trump to Paris was a small contingent of advisers that included incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, along with Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend and real estate investor who Trump has tapped as his special envoy to the Middle East, and Massad Boulos, who is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany and is to serve as senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
The group did not appear to include anyone with expertise on Ukraine.
“United States, Ukraine and France. Together on this historic day. United for Notre-Dame. Let’s continue to work together for peace and security,” Macron wrote on X after the meeting.
Zelenskiy said he had “a good and productive” meeting with Trump and Macron.
“We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.
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