Trump, on his first international trip since being re-elected to the White House, traveled to France to join world leaders and dignitaries to celebrate the renovation. Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral Five years later, a devastating fire destroyed the landmark.
Trump’s visit to France also comes as Macron and other European leaders seek to shore up the president-elect’s favor by persuading him to maintain his support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s three-year offensive. have been
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Trump landed at Orly Airport in Paris on Saturday morning. According to the French National Police, more than 20 French government security agents, along with the Secret Service, helped ensure his safety. Security is tighter than usual outside the US embassy and elsewhere around Paris for the reopening.
As Trump arrived at the Elysée Palace, the French president’s official residence, Macron went out of his way to present a picture of a close relationship, posing for several handshakes and plenty of back pats. Trump said it was a “great honor” and spoke of their “great relationship.”
The grand red carpet arrival is the same protocol that the French use to welcome current US presidents. It was another sign of how eager Macron and other European leaders are to win Trump’s support and appease him before he takes office.
Before he went in, Trump said, “It certainly seems like the world is going a bit crazy right now. And we’re going to talk about that.”
Zielinski arrived at the palace about 45 minutes after Trump and greeted him inside the cathedral.
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Macron had planned to meet with Zelenskiy, and the French president’s office said the tripartite meeting had been proposed by Macron and arranged shortly before Trump’s arrival. Trump has promised a swift end to the war in Ukraine but has not specified how, raising concerns in Kiev about the conditions for any future talks. .
Details of the tripartite meeting were not immediately available.
Trump was given primary seating in the service between them — a better spot than first lady Jill Biden, who sat on the other side of Brexit Macron — and many current heads of government and state.
earlier this week, Trump said that he has accepted the invitation. Macron said the French president had “done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame is restored to its full level of glory, and even more.” It will be a very special day for everyone!”
Notre Dame was damaged by fire which lasted for 12 hours on April 15, 2019, nearly destroying the 1,200-year-old church. Although experts said at the time that recovery could take 40 years, Macron vowed to rebuild in five years.
“The decision to rebuild Notre Dame was about our ability to preserve, restore, sometimes reinvent where we came from.” Macron told 60 Minutes. “This is a message of success.”
Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has made a point of building a relationship with the president-elect since defeating Vice President Kamala Harris last month. But his office, however, played down the significance of the invitation, saying other politicians who are not currently in office were also invited.
President Biden was also invited but will not be attending. White House Press Secretary Kirin Jean-Pierre said Jill Biden would represent the United States instead, citing a scheduling conflict.
Trump and the US first lady last met shortly after the election, when they visited the White House for the traditional meeting between the outgoing and incoming presidents.
Inside Notre Dame, Trump also welcomed Britain’s Prince William, whom Trump later met at the British ambassador’s residence in Paris. Trump was greeted in the foyer, shook the royal hand and said “Good man, this.”
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Trump told reporters that the Prince of Wales was doing “a fantastic job” before the two sat down to talk in a private room reserved for dignitaries at the residence that was once in Paristown. It was home to Princess Pauline Borghese, the youngest. Sister of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
According to the British royal palace, Prince William had a separate meeting with Jill Biden.
Relations between France and the United States started off warm during Trump’s first term, but have become increasingly strained over time.
Macron was the guest of honor at Trump’s first state dinner and Trump has traveled to France several times. But relations suffered after Macron questioned the need for NATO and criticized Trump for casting doubt on America’s commitment to the mutual defense pact.
During the campaign this year, Trump often mocked Macron, mimicking his tone and threatening to impose steep tariffs on bottles of wine and champagne shipped to the US if France tried to tax American companies. will be imposed.
But Macron was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump after his election last month.
Last weekend, Trump declared that he intended. Nominating real estate developer Charles Kushner, father of her son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. This prestigious role includes predecessors Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.