Macron brings Trump, Zelensky together at Notre-Dame event

French President continues earlier personal approach in ties with incoming US leader

PARIS - US President-elect Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in Paris on Dec 7, brought together by a grand ceremony to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral.

Mr. Macron convened the trilateral meeting ahead of an evening event he was hosting to celebrate the cathedral's restoration five years after it was ravaged by fire.

President Zelensky and European leaders have been concerned that Trump, who takes office in January, could withdraw US military aid to Ukraine at a crucial juncture in Kyiv's battle to repel Russia.

Mr. Zelensky said the meeting was "good and productive," and that the three men agreed to continue working together.

"President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him," Mr. Zelensky wrote on social media platform X.

"We all want this war to end as soon as possible, and in a just way."

Trump was on his first trip overseas since winning November's presidential election, and the visit to Paris was seen as offering Mr. Macron an early opportunity to play the role of mediator between Europe and the incoming president, a role the French leader has relished in the past.

Mr. Macron is a strong supporter of the Nato alliance and Ukraine's fight, while Trump feels European nations need to pay more for their common defense. He has said a negotiated settlement is needed to end the Ukraine war.