Ukrainian troops march Bastille Day parade in Paris for first time – photos, video
Half a thousand service members from the 35 countries participating in the Coalition of the Willing, along with Ukrainian troops for the first time, took part in the Bastille Day parade in Paris.
Source: European Pravda, citing French broadcaster BFMTV and Suspilne News
Details: The parade, which is expected to be the last Bastille Day parade of French President Emmanuel Macron's presidency, featured troops from the 35 Coalition of the Willing countries, as well as 25 Ukrainian service members.
This year's 14 July parade is being presented in France as a symbol of Europe's strategic awakening.
"This will be a historic parade because of its international dimension, sending a powerful message that Europe is awakening and recognising how dangerous the world has become," an adviser to the French president told reporters before the event.
Dozens of heads of state and government, most of them from Europe, attended the traditional military parade. Among them were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The celebrations will also include an air display. French Mirage fighter jets will fly over Paris, piloted by joint French and Ukrainian crews.
Background:
- On 13 July, 40 participants joined the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris. Zelenskyy said the participants had agreed to hold the next meeting in Ukraine.
- The same day, 10 European countries, including Ukraine, announced the establishment of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition following its inaugural meeting in Paris. The coalition will work to strengthen Europe's anti-ballistic capabilities.
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