Macron to host bilateral talks with Trump and Zelenskyy at Notre-Dame reopening

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to hold bilateral meetings on December 7 with US President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening ceremony, the Elysée Palace announced on December 6.

While Macron's separate meetings with Trump and Zelenskyy have been confirmed, it remains unclear whether the three leaders will meet jointly. There has been no official confirmation of a Trump-Zelensky meeting, Caliber.Az reports via Fench media.

Ukrainian sources, however, indicated efforts to facilitate such a meeting during the Paris event. "The president of Ukraine will attend the celebrations on the occasion of the restoration of the cathedral of Notre-Dame. He will meet with President (Emmanuel) Macron," a source from the Ukrainian government told AFP, adding, "Other meetings are also possible, in particular with President-elect Donald Trump, who will also attend the event."

The reopening of the iconic cathedral has drawn nearly 40 world leaders, including Trump and Zelenskyy, turning the cultural celebration into a significant diplomatic gathering.

Trump’s focus on Ukraine conflict

During his campaign, Trump vowed to broker a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, claiming he could achieve this "in one day." His statements have fueled speculation about his potential approach to the conflict, especially as US arms supplies remain critical to Kyiv's resistance against Russian aggression.

Ukraine's government has been urging additional weaponry from the outgoing Biden administration as its forces face intensified Russian assaults. On December 2, Biden's administration announced a $725 million military aid package to bolster Ukraine's defence.

Meanwhile, Moscow claimed on December 6 to have captured key areas near the eastern frontline, including a village near Pokrovsk and another near Kurakhove. Analysts warn that these territorial gains could influence the dynamics of expected peace negotiations, which Trump aims to oversee.

Concerns over Trump's envoy pick

Fears about potential territorial concessions by Ukraine have risen following Trump's appointment of Keith Kellogg, a retired general and critic of US military aid, as his Ukraine envoy.

With the battlefield momentum at a critical juncture, both sides are bracing for intensified fighting before any peace talks.

The Notre-Dame reopening, initially planned as a cultural milestone, now holds significant diplomatic implications as leaders seize the opportunity to engage with Trump ahead of his January 20 inauguration.

By Vugar Khalilov