French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President-elect Donald Trump.
The three discussed the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The meeting was of great importance to Zelensky given concerns in Kiev that Trump could ask Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. Zelensky's spokesman Sergei Nikiforov said the meeting lasted about 35 minutes, with only the three leaders present, AFP reported.
The conversation provided Macron with a chance to get a preview of Trump's second presidency when he took office in January. The two hugged and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour even though he had not yet taken office.
“It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, and we’re going to talk about that,” Trump said as he prepared to sit down at the table for talks.
Despite the tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his relationship with the French leader, saying, “We had a great relationship, as everyone knows. We’ve accomplished a lot.”
“We remember the solidarity”
“The French people are “very honored to have you,” Macron said.
“You were president at the time (of the Notre Dame fire) and I remember the solidarity and the immediate response,” the French leader added.
Trump had earlier written on his social media platform Truth that the United States should not “interfere” in Syria, where rebel forces are surrounding the capital Damascus.
The Republican's return to power has caused alarm in Paris and many European capitals after his campaign promises to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine raised concerns about a halt to US military aid to Kiev.
Zelensky joined the talks about half an hour later, quickly climbing the steps of the Elysee Palace and posing for a photo.
The Ukrainian president later called the three-way meeting "good and productive." "We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a fair way," he added.
In his reaction after the discussion, Macron said: "Let's continue our joint efforts for peace and security."
The three leaders are heading to the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral for its inauguration.
Tesla mogul and Trump adviser Elon Musk has also flown to the French capital and is expected to arrive at the cathedral later. | BGNES
