The prospect of Moscow’s presence at the Normandy commemoration has reportedly drawn concern from Western allies
Russia will not be invited to events marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings because of the Ukraine conflict, the French presidency said on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.
The Allied landing in Normandy, which opened a second front against Nazi Germany in Europe, will be commemorated on June 6. The Allies used over 5,000 ships and landing craft to bring more than 150,000 troops on to five beaches in Normandy in an operation that ultimately led to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany.
Prior to France’s announcement on Thursday of the latest decision, two diplomatic sources reportedly told Reuters that the Ukraine conflict and unease among some allies about Moscow’s presence had led Paris to reverse its initial thinking.
The French organizers, Liberation Mission, said last month that a Russian delegation could join the events in France but that President Vladimir Putin would not be invited. However, the potential presence of a Russian delegation at the event had reportedly sparked criticism from UK and US officials, with some saying they were caught off-guard.
Briefing reporters ahead of next Thursday’s anniversary, a French presidency official confirmed Russia’s absence, noting that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky had been invited.
In April, radio station Europe 1 reported that France wanted Moscow to have lower-level representation at this year’s event but that marking the historic date “would be difficult” if the country was not part of it at all, the outlet suggested.
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