France does not invite Russia to attend World War II 'Descent Day' commemoration because of Ukraine war

The announcement was made by the Elysee Palace on May 30. Russia was not invited to the anniversary celebrations due to its military campaign in Ukraine, according to Reuters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron

Previously, organizers stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be invited, but several Russian representatives would be welcomed to acknowledge Moscow's sacrifices in World War II.

The commemoration will take place in June with the attendance of dozens of heads of state and government , including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden.

More than 15,000 Allied soldiers made the Normandy landings in western France on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, in an operation that later led to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany.

The Soviet Union suffered over 25 million casualties in the Great Patriotic War. Russian officials have previously attended D-Day commemorations. In 2014, President Putin, along with the leaders of France, Germany, and Ukraine, established the Normandy Quartet to address the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Europe 1 radio recently cited sources saying that France intended to invite Russia to an event in Normandy, but neither the Russian embassy in Paris nor the Russian Foreign Ministry reported receiving any invitation. Several sources told Reuters that the conflict in Ukraine and the discomfort of some allies over Russia's presence had caused France to change its initial plans.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phap-khong-moi-nga-du-ky-niem-ngay-do-bo-the-chien-2-vi-chien-su-ukraine-185240531101232416.htm