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

Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.

His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.

The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.

“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.

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Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.

“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.

In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.

Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.

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Central America

U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China

The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.

“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”

The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.

At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.

The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.

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CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.

Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.

On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.

International

King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”

King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”

The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.

While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”

The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.

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“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.

King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”

Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”

He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”

“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.