PARIS, Dec 8, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - US president-elect Donald Trump said on Sunday
that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is keen on a "deal" to end the
war with Russia, after the pair met in Paris to discuss the future of the
conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and
Trump at the Elysee Palace on Saturday, as fears grow in Kyiv about the
position of the incoming US administration.

Trump has openly scoffed at the billions of dollars in military assistance
being sent to Ukraine and once boasted he could end the conflict in 24 hours.

"Zelenskyy (sic) and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,"
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too
many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and
if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse."

Hours after the trio's meeting, the outgoing administration of US President
Joe Biden announced a new $988-million military assistance package for
Ukraine.

The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket
launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and
armoured vehicles, the Pentagon said.

- 'Just' peace -

In Ukraine there is concern that Trump may urge domestically unpopular
concessions to bring about peace. Zelensky insisted any settlement with
Russia had to be equitable.

"We all want peace. But it is very important for us... that the peace is just
for all of us and that Russia, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or any
other aggressor has no possibility of ever returning," Zelensky said
according to the presidential website.

"And this is the most important thing -- a just peace and security
guarantees, strong security guarantees for Ukraine," he added.

But Zelensky also thanked Trump for his "unwavering resolve" describing the
talks as "good and productive".

Zelensky's meeting with Trump, just before both attended the re-opening
ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral, was his first face-to-face encounter
with the tycoon-turned-politician since his US election victory.

It also offered a unique chance for Macron to gain insights into how a second
Trump presidency will look when he takes office in January.

The trip to Paris is Trump's first international visit since his November 5
election win.

- 'Going a little crazy' -

Trump and Macron embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the
French presidential palace.

Trump was given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office.

"It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be
talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the
talks with Macron.

Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his
ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as
everyone knows. We accomplished a lot."

Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you"
for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in
2019 during Trump's first term.

"You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the
immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English.

In his own reaction to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media: "Let us
continue our joint efforts for peace and security."

European allies have largely enjoyed a close working relationship with Biden
on the crisis in the Middle East, but Trump is likely to distance himself and
ally the United States even more closely with Israel.