International

Trump meets with Zelenski at the Elysée, in a meeting organized by Macron

The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, met this Saturday with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a meeting in which the French head of state, Emmanuel Macron, who had invited them to the commemorations of the reopening of Notre Dame de Paris, also participated as host.

Zelenski arrived shortly after 17.30 local time (16.30 GMT) at the Elysée Palace, where Trump had gone three quarters of an hour before for a face-to-face with Macron.

The head of protocol of the Elysée, and not the French president, was the one who went out to receive the Ukrainian leader in the courtyard, where the Republican Guard was paying honors.

Zelenski quickly entered the building where Trump and Macron were waiting for him, with whom he posed for a few seconds with the tense gesture in front of the cameras before starting the discussions between the three.

Tariffs, Middle East and Ukraine

The president-elect of the United States and the head of the French state planned to talk about the tariffs that the former threatens to impose on products entering his country from the European Union, the war in the Middle East and, above all, the conflict in Ukraine.

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An issue that obviously interests Zelenski more than anyone else, taking into account that the United States is his main supplier of weapons.

During the campaign for his election, Trump had underlined his intention to resolve the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. His attitude has raised uncertainty and fear among Europeans, and in particular in Kiev, for the possibility that this means the end of Washington’s military support.

Diplomatic solution for the war in Ukraine

Zelenski has assumed in recent weeks that his country will not be able to reconquer by arms the territory that Moscow has conquered and has insisted that a diplomatic solution must be sought.

After the meeting at the Elysée, which lasted just over an hour, the three greeted each other again in front of the cameras in the courtyard of the Elysée and the only handshake between Trump and Zelenski was seen.

The two got into their respective official cars to go to Notre Dame.

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The three presidents were supposed to participate there from 18.15 local time (17.15 GMT) in the reopening ceremonies of Notre Dame, although in view of the accumulated delay, it is possible that this schedule will not be respected.

These ceremonies will be attended by a quarantine of heads of state and government. The protection device includes a contingent of more than 6,000 police and gendarmes and the establishment of a perimeter closed to the public on the island of the Cité, where the cathedral is located.

Macron’s guests to the ceremony will attend a dinner offered by the French president at the Elysée in the evening.

Macron talks about a historic day and asks to work for peace

The French head of state, Emmanuel Macron, has considered that this Saturday has been a “historic day” after having met the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to whom he has asked to continue “common action for peace and security.”

In a message on his X account, Macron congratulated himself on the meeting he has led to at the Elysée Palace between the three: “The United States, Ukraine and France. Together on this historic day. Gathered by Notre Dame. Let us continue common action for peace and security.”

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That text is accompanied by an image of the three, who have been talking for just over half an hour, before participating in the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral, after five years of restoration due to the fire it suffered in April 2019.

In another previous message, Macron has referred to his face-to-face interview with Trump and has insisted on the “challenges” they have to overcome together and on the “pride in friendship” between his two countries.

The message also includes a short video of the beginning of the meeting of both leaders at the Elysée Palace, which has been held a few tens of minutes before the start of the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which is the reason for the presence of the president-elect of the United States in France.

A “great honor” for the French

In that video, Macron said he was “happy to welcome President-elect Donald Trump in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame five years later. He was president when the cathedral caught fire.”

“It is a great honor for the French,” he added, before noting the “solidarity” that Trump had expressed for the Notre Dame fire.

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Trump, for his part, has highlighted the “very good relationship” he has had with the French president and explained how Americans love and respect the French.

“Very honored to be here,” Trump told Macron, who has also expressed his willingness to work with him and has pointed out that “the world seems to be going crazy.”

Zelenski considers his interview with Trump “good and productive”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has considered “very good and productive” the meeting he has held in Paris with the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, and with the French head of state, Emmanuel Macron, sponsored by the latter, host of the celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame.

In a message on his X account, Zelenski has pointed out that “President Trump has been, as always, decisive. I thank you.”

He also wanted to thank Macron for organizing “this important meeting.”

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International

U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.

The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.

The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.

“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

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International

Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.

“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.

Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.

According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.

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International

Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.

The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.

Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.

Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.

The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.

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Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.

Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.

In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.