The day after his re-investiture and while war is raging in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron took part, on Sunday May 8, in the ceremonies for the anniversary of the victory of May 8, 1945 on the Champs-Élysées and under the Arc of Triumph.

This commemoration opens an international sequence for the Head of State, who will participate on Sunday from 5 p.m. in a videoconference of the members of the G7 "relating to the situation in Ukraine", before going to Strasbourg on Monday for the day of the Europe and then to Berlin to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Monday will also be the day Russia celebrates victory over Nazi Germany, a show of military might in the midst of war in Ukraine.

The public allowed again

Emmanuel Macron arrived by car to lay a wreath in front of the statue of General de Gaulle at the bottom of the avenue des Champs-Elysées at 11 a.m.

A cornflower in his buttonhole, the president exchanged a few words with the general's grandson, before getting back in his car to reach the Arc de Triomphe, escorted by the large mixed escort of the Republican Guard.

It was the first time since 2019 that the public was allowed for this ceremony, after two years of restrictions due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Place de l'Étoile, Emmanuel Macron met with the head of government, Jean Castex, and the ministers of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Florence Parly and Geneviève Darrieussecq.

He honored the flag, before reviewing the troops, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and rekindling the flame.

We remember all those who fought for freedom and peace.

We reject all forms of instrumentalization and manipulation of the memory of those who gave their lives.

— Jean-Yves Le Drian (@JY_LeDrian) May 8, 2022

The Return of War to Europe

Asked about the very particular context of this ceremony, the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot told the journalists present that it was a "moment which takes on a very considerable significance" with the war in Ukraine.

"We thought the war was gone from Europe," she added.

“Today we commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe and the victory of the Allied fighters over Nazi Germany. We do not forget the soldiers who came from all over the former USSR, including Ukrainians and Russians, who contributed to this victory", wrote for his part the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on Twitter.

With AFP

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