Trump’s visit to France, part of a global celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral five years after a devastating fire, comes as Macron and other European leaders try to curry favor with Trump and convince him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian invasions.
ADVERTISEMENTFrench President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris on Saturday, holding an impromptu meeting at the Elysee Palace ahead of the opening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral.
It is Trump’s first foreign visit since he was elected president of the United States, and comes as Macron and other European leaders try to curry favor with Trump and convince him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against a Russian invasion. Macron’s office said that the wars in the Middle East will also be discussed.
When Trump arrived at the French president’s official residence, Macron did his best to project an image of close ties, posing for multiple handshakes interspersed with many pats on the back. Trump said it was a “great honor” and spoke of the “great relationship” they had. A magnificent red carpet was rolled out in the same way the French greet sitting American presidents.
Before they went inside, Trump said: “It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now. And we will talk about that.”
Zelensky arrived at the palace about 45 minutes after Trump.
Macron had planned to meet with Zelensky, and the French president’s office said the three-way meeting was proposed by Macron and arranged shortly before Trump’s arrival. Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine quickly, but has not specified how, raising concerns in Kiev about what conditions might be set for future negotiations.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy posted on his Telegram channel: “Good, productive meeting with President Trump and President Macron. President Trump, as always, is determined. Thank you for that. Also, thanks to President Macron for organizing this meeting in Paris. We talked about our people, the situation on the battlefield and a fair peace for Ukraine. We all want to end this war as quickly and fairly as possible.”
Macron, who has had an up-and-coming relationship with Trump, has sought to nurture the relationship since the Republican defeated Democrat Kamala Harris last month. But Macron’s office downplayed the invitation, saying other politicians who are now out of office were also invited.
Trump was invited as the president-elect of a “friendly nation,” Macron’s office said, adding: “This is in no way exceptional, we’ve done it before.”
The red carpet treatment, however, was a sign of how eager both Macron and other European leaders are to win Trump’s favor and appease him even before he takes office.
Trump is known to enjoy pomp and circumstance. One of his first trips as president was his first term in Paris, where Macron made him guest of honor at Bastille Day events. Trump later said he wanted to repeat a large military parade in the United States.
Democratic President Joe Biden has also been invited, but will not attend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling conflict and said first lady Jill Biden would represent the United States.
The meeting with the French president takes place before the Notre Dame event, as well as a meeting with Prince William, who is also scheduled to meet with Jill Biden, the British royal palace announced.
