As European rearmament picks up speed in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine, France held its largest-ever national day parade on Tuesday, showcasing its military might and solidarity with friends. The president of Ukraine was the guest of honor.
Two dozen foreign leaders of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and hundreds of European troops, joined thousands of French soldiers for the final Bastille Day parade, which was led by President Emmanuel Macron.
The procession, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille castle during the French Revolution, is taking place one day after Macron hosted a fresh meeting of Ukraine’s allies almost four and a half years after Russia began a full-scale invasion of its neighbor.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Premier Keir Starmer, who has led European efforts to help Ukraine alongside Macron but is now stepping down, were among the other European leaders who attended the parade.
A record number of military personnel were marching the customary path between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde, accompanied by over 6,700 troops, 98 planes, 31 helicopters, and 315 vehicles. France’s rearmament, France’s strategic autonomy, and Europe’s strategic awakening,” according to a French presidential official, was the purpose of the parade.
Also Read:
Dr. Sofica Bistriceanu’s Journey as a Multifaceted Expert
Delivering Effective Legal Assistance in the UAE with InTrouble: Alexander Kopenkin
