US President-elect Donald Trump has returned to the world stage and used a visit to Paris to discuss the future of Ukraine. Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace to discuss the fate of the country attacked by Russia. Zelenskyj then spoke of a productive meeting.
At the same time, the government of outgoing US President Joe Biden announced a new, huge package of military equipment for Ukraine – worth around 988 million US dollars (around 935 million euros). Biden’s team is trying to send all the funds already approved by Congress to Kiev shortly before the change of power in Washington, before Trump is expected to take a new course towards Ukraine in January.
Trump will be sworn in as the new US President on January 20th. The visit to France – to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral – was his first trip abroad since winning the election. Macron received him in Paris with some of the pomp that is otherwise reserved for incumbent heads of state and government.
Peace in Ukraine – but how?
Trump and Macron initially sat down together in the Élysée Palace, before Zelenskyj later joined them. It was known that Macron would also receive the Ukrainian after Trump – but a meeting between the three of them was not officially announced in advance.
Zelenskyj described the three-way meeting as good and Trump as “resolute.” On Platform The three agreed to continue working together. “Peace through strength is possible.”
With a view to the three-way conversation on X, Macron wrote: “Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security.” Not much of substance from the meeting was initially known.
Fear in Ukraine of Trump’s return to power
There is great fear in Ukraine that Trump, after being sworn in, could drastically reduce US military aid to the country attacked by Russia, thus causing a defeat for Kiev. The United States is still Ukraine’s most important supporter and largest arms supplier. There are also fears in many EU states that Trump could enforce an unbalanced ceasefire agreement that could effectively make Russia and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin appear to be the victors of the war of aggression.
Trump boasts of his good contacts with Putin. During the election campaign, he repeatedly claimed that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, if possible before he took office. He didn’t say how.
Courting Trump’s favor
The French President rolled out the red carpet for the Republican in Paris and received him with some pomp at his official residence. This is unusual for a meeting with a colleague who is not yet in office. The two shook hands several times when greeting each other, hugged each other and posed for photos.
During Trump’s first term in office, Macron made a noticeable effort to maintain a good relationship with the Republican – despite all their political differences. The Frenchman publicly presented himself as a strong European counterpart to probably the most powerful man in the world. Even after his re-election, Macron is now at the forefront when it comes to getting along well with Trump. There is also a lot at stake for Europeans as a result of Trump’s return to power: for example in trade or climate protection.
Macron said he was very happy to have Trump as a guest in Paris. Trump praised the relationship with France in his first years in office. “We had a good time together, and we had a lot of success, really great success.”
The Notre Dame celebrations
On Saturday evening, Macron and Trump – as well as Zelensky and various other heads of state and government – took part in the ceremonial reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Biden wasn’t there, but his wife Jill was instead. The outgoing first lady sat not far from Trump and chatted at times with her husband’s predecessor and successor. The US tech billionaire Elon Musk, who supported Trump with a lot of money during the election campaign and has hardly left the Republican’s side since his election victory, was also at the ceremony.
After the celebrations, Trump also met in Paris with the heir to the British throne, Prince William, who also came along with representatives of other royal families. The future US president, who is said to have a fascination for protocol pomp and royal splendor, visibly felt comfortable back in the spotlight.
The crisis in France
The Notre-Dame Cathedral was badly damaged in a fire five years ago and has since been renovated. For Macron, the reopening of the Paris landmark is a highlight of his seven-year term in office. Macron should see the fact that he also received the future US President at the celebration as a special coup. This kind of thing suits him right now. Because France is in the middle of a serious domestic political crisis, which is also putting Macron under considerable pressure.
In the dispute over an austerity budget, the opposition overthrew the center-right government of the previous Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Wednesday evening. Since then, parts of the opposition have also been calling for Macron’s resignation. Now the president wants to quickly install a new prime minister who will have to put together a new government with the quarreling camps in parliament.
