The reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral on Sunday will serve as a dramatic backdrop for high-stakes diplomacy. French President Emmanuel Macron will host separate bilateral meetings with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and newly elected US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ceremony, marking a significant geopolitical convergence.
The historic church’s reopening, five years after a devastating fire, is itself a momentous occasion. Dozens of global leaders, including First Lady Jill Biden and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, are scheduled to attend. The absence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who cancelled her attendance to sign a trade deal with Mercosur, adds another layer of complexity, highlighting existing transatlantic tensions.
However, the political subtext surrounding the event is arguably even more significant. Trump’s first foreign trip since winning the 2024 US Presidential election, and a month before his formal inauguration, brings considerable uncertainty to the international stage. His past stance on Russia and strained relationship with NATO have left several European nations, particularly Ukraine, apprehensive about the future of US support.
Zelenskyy, in particular, has reason for concern. Trump’s past expressions of affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin have fueled anxieties in Kyiv about the long-term commitment of the United States to Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. The war in Ukraine will undoubtedly be a central topic of discussion during Macron’s meeting with both leaders.
The meeting between Macron and Trump will also be closely watched. While the French President appears keen to solidify a strong alliance with the incoming US administration, the past interactions between the two leaders have been characterized by a complex dynamic. From their unusual handshake at a Bastille Day parade to a state visit at the White House, their relationship has been marked by both cordiality and a degree of unpredictability.
Trump himself announced his attendance on TruthSocial, stating, “It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the reopening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago.” This trip will offer a crucial opportunity to gauge the direction of US foreign policy under Trump’s second term, particularly regarding Europe and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The coming days will be crucial in understanding how these high-stakes meetings reshape the global political landscape.
