Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Saturday insisted at a gathering with US president-elect, Donald Trump, that any settlement with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine needed to be “simply”, as fears develop in Kyiv on the place of the incoming administration.

France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, hosted three-way talks with Zelenskyy and Trump on the Élysée palace, discussing what the incoming US president had termed a world that was a “little loopy”.

Hours after their assembly, the outgoing administration of president Joe Biden introduced a brand new $988m (£775m) army help package deal for Ukraine.

The package deal options drones, ammunition for precision Himars rocket launchers, and gear and spare elements for artillery programs, tanks and armoured autos, the Pentagon mentioned in a press release.

Zelenskyy’s assembly with Trump simply earlier than the three males headed to Notre Dame for the reopening ceremony of the Paris cathedral was his first face-to-face encounter with the tycoon-turned-politician since his election victory.

The assembly was of giant significance to Zelenskyy, given fears in Kyiv that Trump, who as soon as boasted he might finish Russia’s battle on Ukraine in 24 hours, might urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow.

It additionally supplied a singular likelihood for Macron to achieve insights into how a second Trump presidency will look when he takes workplace in January. The journey to Paris is Trump’s first worldwide go to since his 5 November election win.

“All of us need peace. However it is vitally necessary for us … that the peace is only for all of us and that Russia, (Russian president Vladimir) Putin or every other aggressor has no chance of ever returning,” Zelenskyy mentioned in keeping with the presidential web site.

“And that is crucial factor – a simply peace and safety ensures, sturdy safety ensures for Ukraine,” he added.

Trump has scoffed on the billions of {dollars} in US army help to Ukraine and has spoken of forcing a fast settlement.

However Zelenskyy additionally thanked Trump for his “unwavering resolve” describing the talks as “good and productive”.

Trump and Macron embraced and shook fingers a number of occasions on the steps of the French presidential palace, with US president-elect given a full guard of honour regardless of not but being in workplace.

“It looks as if the world goes a little bit loopy proper now and we might be speaking about that,” Trump instructed reporters as he ready to take a seat down for the talks with Macron.

Regardless of tensions between the 2 males throughout his first time period, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French chief, saying: “We had an incredible relationship as everybody is aware of. We completed lots.”

Macron instructed the US president-elect it was “an incredible honour for French folks to welcome you” for the reopening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 throughout Trump’s first time period.

“You had been president at the moment and I keep in mind the solidarity and the fast response,” Macron added, talking in English.

The Republican’s return to energy has rung alarms in Paris and lots of European capitals after his guarantees on the marketing campaign path to drive an finish to combating in Ukraine and levy tariffs on buying and selling companions.

In his personal response to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media: “Allow us to proceed our joint efforts for peace and safety.”

European allies have largely loved a detailed working relationship with Biden on the disaster within the Center East, however Trump is more likely to distance himself and ally the US much more intently with Israel.

In an indication of the significance of Trump’s one-day journey to Paris, he was accompanied by his decide for White Home chief of employees, Susie Wiles, in addition to his Center East advisers, Steve Witkoff and Massad Boulos, in keeping with a visitor checklist issued by the Élysée palace.

Tesla tycoon and Trump adviser Elon Musk, who was additionally on the road throughout a cellphone name between the incoming president and Zelenskyy final month, additionally flew into the French capital and was current on the Notre Dame ceremony.