U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Paris on Saturday morning, marking his first international trip since his victory in November’s election, according to AFP. His plane landed at Orly Airport around 7 a.m., reportedly a private flight. Trump then proceeded to the U.S. Embassy in the French capital.
Later in the day, before attending the reopening ceremony of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, Trump is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron will also host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Élysée Palace for discussions.
Trump’s visit is seen as a symbolic return to the international stage. According to the Associated Press, it presents an opportunity for Macron to act as a mediator between the United States and Europe. The two leaders have a history of cooperation dating back to their first presidential terms, making Macron one of the few European leaders with personal ties to Trump.
The Notre Dame ceremony, celebrating the cathedral’s restoration after the devastating 2019 fire, will host dignitaries from around 30 nations, including Jill Biden, wife of outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda is also among the attendees.