France Excludes Putin from D-Day Anniversary Ceremony
Russia, but not President Vladimir Putin, will be invited to the French ceremony in June to mark 80 years since the D-Day landings during World War II, organizers announced on Tuesday. The Liberation Mission organizing committee stated that Putin will not be invited due to Russia’s “war of aggression” in Ukraine. However, Russia will still be invited to honor the commitment and sacrifices of the Soviet peoples and their contribution to the 1945 victory.
No further details were provided, and the Russian embassy in Paris declined to comment at this stage. The Kremlin has not issued a response to the announcement.
The decision comes after French authorities expressed readiness to increase exchanges with Moscow following a recent attack in Moscow claimed by the Islamic State group, with the aim of combating terrorism. However, some in France criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s government for reaching out to the Kremlin, citing Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Putin had attended the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 2014, despite the annexation of Crimea just months prior. At that time, he met with Ukraine’s then-president Petro Poroshenko on the sidelines of the ceremony, following Moscow’s support for a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine.
The exclusion of Putin from the upcoming ceremony reflects the ongoing tensions between Russia and Western countries over various geopolitical issues. The event is expected to be a significant commemoration of the sacrifices made during World War II, with Russia’s role being acknowledged while also addressing current conflicts.