Trump’s go to to France, a part of a worldwide celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral 5 years after a devastating fireplace, got here as Macron and different European leaders had been attempting to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to take care of help for Ukraine in its protection in opposition to Russia’s invasion.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Paris on Saturday, holding an impromptu assembly on the Elysée Palace forward of the opening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral.
It is Trump’s first overseas go to since being elected president of the United States, and it comes as Macron and different European leaders try to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to take care of help for Ukraine in its protection in opposition to the invasion of Russia. Macron’s workplace stated this can be mentioned in addition to the wars within the Middle East.
When Trump arrived on the French president’s official residence, Macron went to nice lengths to mission a picture of shut ties, posing for a number of handshakes interspersed with quite a few pats on the again. Trump stated it was “an excellent honor” and spoke of the “nice relationship” they’d. A grand pink carpet was rolled out in the identical method the French welcome sitting American presidents.
Before coming into, Trump stated: “It actually looks like the world goes a bit of loopy proper now. And we’ll discuss it.”
Zelensky arrived on the palace about 45 minutes after Trump.
Macron had deliberate to fulfill Zelenskiy and the French president’s workplace stated the three-way assembly was proposed by Macron and arranged shortly earlier than Trump’s arrival. Trump has pledged to rapidly finish the conflict in Ukraine however has not specified how, elevating considerations in Kiev in regards to the phrases that may very well be set for any future negotiations.
After the assembly, Zelensky posted on his Telegram channel: “A optimistic and productive assembly with President Trump and President Macron. President Trump, as all the time, is decided. Thank you for this. Also, thanks President Macron for having organized this assembly in Paris. We talked about our folks, the scenario on the battlefield and a simply peace for Ukraine. We all wish to finish this conflict as rapidly and pretty as attainable.”
Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has determined to domesticate a relationship for the reason that Republican defeated Democrat Kamala Harris final month. But Macron’s workplace nonetheless downplayed the importance of the invitation, saying that different politicians not at the moment in workplace had additionally been invited.
Trump was invited because the president-elect of a “pleasant nation,” Macron’s workplace stated, including: “This is under no circumstances distinctive, we have executed this earlier than.”
The pink carpet remedy, nonetheless, was an indication of how keen each Macron and different European leaders are to win Trump’s favor and appease him earlier than he even takes workplace.
Trump is understood to experience pomp and circumstance. One of his first journeys as president throughout his first time period was to Paris, the place Macron made him visitor of honor on the Bastille Day occasions. Trump later stated he needed to copy the big navy parade within the United States.
Democratic President Joe Biden has additionally been invited however is not going to attend. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling battle and stated first woman Jill Biden would characterize the United States.
The assembly with the French president will happen earlier than the Notre Dame occasion, as will the assembly with Prince William, who in line with the British royal palace can also be anticipated to fulfill Jill Biden.
