The stakes are high. This Saturday, December 7, could be a turning point for the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for almost three years after the Russian invasion. On the sidelines of the reopening of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, President Zelensky met the future US President Donald Trump at the Elysée at the end of the afternoon, at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron. This meeting, not included in the official agenda, takes place in a sensitive diplomatic context, reinforcing the hope of significant progress in the negotiations.
This is the first meeting between the Ukrainian leader and the Republican billionaire since his election to the White House. This meeting is particularly crucial for Volodymyr Zelensky, who has had only a brief telephone discussion with Donald Trump since the latter’s election in early November.
Very critical of the billions of dollars in aid released by the United States to militarily support Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, Mr. Trump has promised to resolve the war in Ukraine. “in 24 hours”.
Kyiv, for its part, wants to approach a possible peace negotiation with Russia from a position of strength and with sufficient security guarantees.
Many NATO countries, led by the United States, are however reluctant to invite Ukraine to join the Atlantic Alliance, as requested by Kiev.
For Donald Trump, who arrived in France on Saturday morning, this first trip abroad since his election offers the opportunity to mark his great return to the international scene and to exchange views with many of his future counterparts, he who had broke with many diplomatic standards. during his first term between 2017 and 2021.
Beyond the celebration of the revival of the cathedral, an intense diplomatic sequence took place on Saturday in Paris, with several dozen world leaders expected.
Elon Musk joins Trump in Paris
Another unexpected guest, American billionaire Elon Musk, close to Donald Trump, landed on Saturday at 15:20 local time at Le Bourget airport, near Paris, to also attend the reopening of Notre-Dame, it was learned the AFP.
No details have been given at this stage on the program of the visit to Paris of Mr. Musk, the richest man in the world who has become close to the president-elect.
The head of SpaceX,
This nomination is a reward for the entrepreneur, who has become the largest political donor in American history.
(With AFP)
