At the 80th anniversary of D-Day, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron rallied for continued support for Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy receiving a warm welcome from Western leaders in Normandy.
Speaking at the American cemetery in Normandy, Biden sent a resolute message to Moscow, affirming that the US and its allies “will not bow down” and “stand for freedom.” He condemned surrendering to dictators, referencing the historical significance of D-Day. “To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators, is simply unthinkable,” he said. Biden warned that abandoning Ukraine would lead to broader threats to Europe, labeling Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “tyrant bent on domination.”
A few hours later, Zelenskiy, along with his wife Olena, attended an event at Omaha Beach, where 2,400 US servicemen died on June 6, 1944. The couple was met with cheers and hugs from other leaders, and Biden is scheduled to meet Zelenskiy in Paris on Friday.
During his speech, Macron praised Zelenskiy and Ukraine's resilience, which garnered a standing ovation from the other 25 heads of state and government present. The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was notably absent, returning to London for the election campaign. However, Labour leader Keir Starmer attended and discussed the latest developments in Ukraine with Zelenskiy.
Macron emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, stating, “Thank you to the Ukrainian people for their bravery. We are here and we will not weaken.” He urged the attendees to be worthy of those who fought for freedom in 1944, amid a flypast of French fighter jets.
Russian representatives were not invited to the commemorations, with French officials citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin dismissed this exclusion during a meeting in St Petersburg, stating, “let them celebrate without us.”
Throughout the events, strong signals of support for Ukraine were evident. Zelenskiy, embraced by a US veteran, was told, “You’re the saviour of the people,” to which he replied, “No, you saved Europe… You are our hero.”
At the British Normandy Memorial, King Charles highlighted the ongoing need to oppose tyranny, echoing Biden’s sentiment that the heroism of D-Day does not absolve current generations from defending democracy. Biden further criticized isolationist policies, implicitly referencing former President Donald Trump, who had recently praised D-Day soldiers on social media.
Sunak’s absence, deputized by Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, drew criticism from Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, who questioned the Prime Minister's priorities.
In Normandy, leaders underscored the enduring relevance of D-Day’s legacy in today’s geopolitical landscape, emphasizing that the fight for freedom and democracy continues.
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