France showcased 500 pro-Ukraine troops at Bastille Day, in what the country said would be a symbol of Europe’s strategic awakening. The traditional national day military parade fell one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined around 25 leaders in Paris for a summit of the coalition of Western allies supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia.
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The allies announced an air-defence coalition as Ukraine grapples with critical ammunition shortages and intensifying Russian strikes on its capital Kyiv and surrounding regions. Zelenskiy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were among about 30 leaders invited by Emmanuel Macron to watch Tuesday’s parade, the French president’s last before he leaves office in 2027.
The traditional fly-past brought together French and allied European aircraft, including French Mirage fighter jets that Macron’s office said would be flown with Ukrainian co-pilots currently training on the aircraft. A French presidential adviser told reporters ahead of the event that the parade would be a strong signal that Europe is waking up and coming to terms with how dangerous the world has become.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
