1 of 5 | French President Emmanuel Macron bids farewell to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky (L) and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) as they leave at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Saturday after unscheduled trilateral talks. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI | License Photo
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the official reopening Saturday of the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Zelenksy and Trump had previously been scheduled to meet separately with Macron. Advertisement
Also making a surprise appearance at Notre Dame was billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, one of the key campaign contributors to Trump’s presidential campaign and now a top adviser.
First Lady Jill Biden was at the event officially representing the United States, while Britain’s Prince William attended the ceremony in place of his father, King Charles III, who continues to receive cancer treatment.
It wasn’t immediately clear what if any discussions, informal or otherwise, Trump had with Zelensky about the situation in Ukraine.
Last month, Zelensky said Trump’s victory in the U.S. election would mean an earlier end to Russia’s war inside Ukraine, since a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Trump was greeted with applause when he arrived at the French presidential residence, the Elysee Palace, where he held an official meeting with Macron. Advertisement
The former and future president confirmed earlier this week he would attend the ceremony in Paris for the reopening. It marks his first overseas visit since winning the election in November.
The famed Gothic-style cathedral was badly damaged during a fire in April of 2019. Macron later pledged to have the massive restoration complete within five years.
Macron took office in 2017 and served as France’s president during the three final years of Trump’s first presidential term. The two men picked up that existing relationship Saturday before heading to the reopening ceremony.
“We had a great relationship, as everyone knows. We’ve accomplished a lot together. And the people of France are spectacular. I guess it’s one of our largest groups in the United States, French people,” Trump told reporters.
“And we respect them and we love them. Very talented people, extremely energetic people, as you know very well.”
Macron called Trump’s attendance on Saturday a “great honor for the French people.”
Approximately 50 heads of state are in Paris for the reopening of the iconic landmark, which is being presided over by the Archbishop of Paris.
“You were at that time president, for the first time, and I remember the solidarity and your immediate action,” Macron told Trump on Saturday. “So welcome back again. We’re very happy to have you here.” Advertisement
He added in an official social media post, “United States, Ukraine, and France. Together on this historic day. Gathered for Notre-Dame. Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security.”
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
