President-elect Donald Trump has met world leaders in his return to the global stage for the opening of France’s Notre Dame Cathedral, which burned down five years ago.

Trump joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for discussions and was due to meet Prince William, who is also in Paris for the event.

“It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that,” Trump told reporters ahead of the talks.

It was Trump’s first trip overseas since he won the presidential election in November.

Macron, who has been weakened by a deep political crisis after the French government was toppled, welcomed dozens of heads of state and government to a lavish opening ceremony on Sunday (AEDT).

While no agenda for their talks was announced, European leaders are concerned Trump could withdraw US military aid to Ukraine at a crucial juncture in its war to repel Russian invaders.

Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in the front row with Brigitte Macron. Photo: AAP

Zelensky said the trilateral meeting was “good and productive”.

“President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organising this important meeting,” Zelesnky posted to X.

“We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way.

“We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace.

“We agreed to continue working together and keep in contact. Peace through strength is possible.”

Notre Dame Cathedral is reopening more than five years after it was ravaged by a devastating fire that destroyed its spire and roof and brought the entire Gothic masterpiece within minutes of collapsing.

The 860-year-old medieval cathedral, a symbol of France and Paris, has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib vaulting, its flying buttresses and carved stone gargoyles returned to their past glory and the white stone and gold decorations shining brighter than ever.

The Notre Dame Cathedral has been resurrected from the ashes. Photo: AAP

On the evening of April 15, 2019, Parisians who rushed to the scene and television viewers worldwide watched with horror as the cathedral’s spire and roof collapsed in the raging fire that threatened the main bell towers — and the entire structure.

“The planet was shaken on that day,” Macron said ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony.

“The shock of the reopening will — I believe and I want to believe — be as strong as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope.”

Thousands of expert craftspeople — from wood carpenters and stonemasons to stained glass window artists — have worked around the clock for the past five years, using age-old methods to restore, repair or replace everything destroyed or damaged.

Guest attend the service in Notre Dame Cathedral. Photo: AAP

“Notre Dame is more than a Parisian or French monument,” said historian Damien Berne, a member of the scientific council for the restoration of Notre Dame.

“It’s also a universal monument.

“It’s a landmark, an emblem, a point of reference that reassures in a globalised world where everything evolves permanently.”

The cathedral’s first stone was laid in 1163 and construction continued for much of the next century, with major restoration and additions in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Notre Dame Cathedral burning in 2019. Photo: AAP

Victor Hugo helped make the cathedral a symbol of both Paris and France when he used it as a setting for his 1831 novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Quasimodo, the main character, has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, an animated Disney adaptation and musicals.

So much money poured in for the renovation from across the world — more than 840 million euros ($1.4 billion), according to Macron’s office — that funds remain for further investment in the building.

The Catholic Church expects the restored cathedral to welcome some 15 million visitors annually.

Trump returns to world stage

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and US President-elect Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace. Photo: AAP

While Trump is due to be sworn in as US president on January 20, he has already held discussions with world leaders, and members of his team are trying to get up to speed on a burgeoning number of world crises, including Ukraine and the Middle East.

Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, met on Wednesday in Washington with Ukraine envoy Andriy Yermak, leading to speculation that a meeting between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy might be in the offing in Paris.

Trump, a Republican, was in power when Notre Dame burned in 2019.

He lost his 2020 re-election bid to Democrat Joe Biden but on November 5 defeated Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice president, to win back the presidency.

“Symbolically, both Mr Trump’s presidency and Notre Dame have been restored in approximately the same time period,” Conley said.

“His visit to Paris is also the opening salvo of his return to the world stage, further diminishing the final days of the Biden administration.”

Trump visited France four times while president from 2017-2021, including D-Day anniversary ceremonies in 2019.

-with AAP