Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are in Paris this Saturday, December 7 for the reopening of Notre-Dame. The President-elect of the United States was welcomed at the Élysée Palace by Emmanuel Macron late in the afternoon. Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky then joined them for a three-way meeting, before the festivities kicked off.
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Times are given in universal time (UT, Paris -1 hour).
The essentials
► Thirty-five heads of state and government were announced by the Presidency of the Republic for this historic event in Paris, the rebirth of this jewel of Gothic art from the 12th century immortalized in literature in particular. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people are also expected to attend the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris.
► Before the festivities, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron. A spectacular meeting, already described as the “Notre-Dame format” at the Élysée Palace, for the first visit of the president-elect of the United States abroad since the American presidential election in November.
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5:10 p.m.: Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky leave the Élysée
The Ukrainian president left the presidential palace by car, in the wake of the procession of his elected counterpart from the United States. Both were escorted back to the main courtyard by Emmanuel Macron, before leaving the scene to the drums and trumpets of the Republican Guard. The three men talked for about half an hour. MM. Zelensky and Trump shook hands.
4:45 p.m. : First Trump-Zelensky meeting since the US presidential election
Gold tie, navy blue suit, did Donald Trump make a clothing gesture in a nod to the flag of Ukraine, this Saturday in Paris for his historic meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron?
4:30 p.m.: Volodymyr Zelensky joins MM. Macron and Trump rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré
The Ukrainian head of state arrived at the presidential palace in Paris to join his French counterpart and the President-elect of the United States Donald Trump. A three-way meeting. He was welcomed on the steps of the Élysée by the head of protocol. The meeting was immortalized in the Golden Room. This is the first meeting between the Ukrainian leader and the Republican billionaire since his election to the White House.
4:00 p.m.: Donald Trump was received by Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace
He is in France, for his first trip abroad since his election. Before the Notre-Dame reopening ceremony, Mr. Trump was received by Emmanuel Macron late in the afternoon at the Élysée for a one-on-one interview. The two men spoke beforehand from the lounges, exchanging pleasantries. The President-elect of the United States underlined his good relationship with his counterpart, the great understanding between the two countries, the importance of the French community in America, before launching, in the midst of an upsurge in hostilities in Syria: “ The world seems to be going a little crazy right now, and that’s what we need to talk about now. »
Also readAll our articles on reopening
Before political meetings and Notre-Dame
After the opening of the Olympic Games on the banks of the Seine, the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, partially destroyed five years ago by the serious fire of April 15, 2019 and completely renovated at a rapid pace.
Once again, this Saturday, December 7, the sky over the French capital is tormented, disrupting part of the day’s program, from Emmanuel Macron’s speech initially planned on the square, to the concert which will ultimately be delayed.
We also came to visit Paris, but what attracted us, obviously, was the inauguration of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is truly an exceptional monument.
Chantal, an 80-year-old Quebecer, came to Paris with a friend for the occasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport at midday. His elected counterpart from the United States had arrived in the morning. Then we learned that his close friend Elon Musk had in turn landed at Le Bourget, while the Pope was absent, as was Joe Biden, represented by his partner, Jill.
In total, 35 heads of state and government were announced by the Presidency of the Republic, for the revival of this jewel of Gothic art from the 12th century, immortalized by history, literature and all other forms of art, from painting to cinema. They were to take their place among the 2,000 to 3,000 people also expected to attend the event.
This is something that touches me enormously. I saw the fire in front of the TV, I cried a little. It’s an incredible feeling.
Federico, specially came from Mexico to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame
If Pope Francis did not make the trip, he sent a letter supposed to be read during the ceremony. The Holy Father will, however, go to Corsica in a week, to attend a conference on “popular religiosity in the Mediterranean”.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his Italian counterpart Sergio Matarella were present this Saturday. The Croatian, Polish and Bulgarian heads of state are in Paris, as are Prince William of the United Kingdom, as well as African leaders: Denis Sassou Nguesso, Brice Oligui Nguema, Faure Gnassingbe, Umaro Sissoco Embalo…
Patrons who helped finance the reconstruction will be in the cathedral, as will representatives of all the parishes in the capital. Notre-Dame will be considered reopened at the end of the religious ceremony.
