Macron hosts trilateral talks with Trump and Zelenskyy amid Notre Dame reopening ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a high-profile trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday in Paris. The talks took place on the sidelines of the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening ceremony, blending a historic moment with pressing global diplomacy.

The trilateral meeting was preceded by a bilateral between Macron and Trump at the Élysée Palace. The discussions focused on Ukraine’s defense against Russia and the future of US support under Trump’s presidency. Trump’s position on Ukraine has raised concerns, as he has vowed to end the war swiftly without specifying the terms.

Macron and Trump, despite their prior tense relationship, exchanged warm gestures, with Trump describing their bond as a “great relationship.” Macron emphasized the significance of the Notre Dame reopening, noting Trump’s solidarity during the fire that devastated the cathedral five years ago.

Zelenskyy joined the discussions shortly after Trump, with the French presidential office revealing that Macron proposed the meeting to address ongoing concerns over Ukraine’s war effort. The gathering highlights the urgency of international unity as Europe braces for potential shifts in US foreign policy.