French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday during the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The event has become a key diplomatic gathering, with 40 world leaders on the VIP guestlist.
According to the Elysée, Macron will hold separate bilateral meetings with Trump and Zelensky, though no three-way talks are planned. A direct meeting between Trump and Zelensky remains uncertain.
Zelensky’s attendance highlights Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to secure international support amid Russia’s intensified pre-winter offensive in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces face mounting pressure as Moscow claims recent advances near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Kyiv continues to request additional arms from the outgoing Biden administration, which recently approved a $725 million military aid package.
Trump’s presence marks a significant moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations as he prepares for his January 20 inauguration. During his campaign, Trump pledged to broker a peace deal to end the Ukraine war within “one day.” His choice of retired General Keith Kellogg, a critic of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, as his Ukraine envoy has raised concerns in Kyiv about potential territorial concessions in future peace talks.
Macron’s meetings with Trump and Zelensky come at a critical juncture, with both leaders seeking to navigate the evolving dynamics of the Ukraine conflict and international diplomacy. The reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral thus serves not only as a cultural milestone but also as a platform for high-stakes political dialogue.
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