At D-Day commemorations, world leaders reflect on the difficulties faced during the Ukraine conflict.
"We're here, and we won't give up," Macron emphasized during an international commemoration ceremony at Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. When he recognized Zelenskyy, a large portion of the audience stood up and applauded for a long time. "We know that freedom is a fight that needs to be led every day," Macron said. He then addressed Russia, demanding "courage in the face of those who want to change borders through violence."
Prior to this, Biden had already established a connection between the Allied landing - which symbolized the start of victory over Nazi Germany - and the present-day war in Europe. "We are living in a time when democracy is more threatened globally than it has been since the end of World War II," he declared.
Biden, looking at the high number of casualties on D-Day, asked, "Do you want to know the price of freedom? Look at what happened in Normandy." He continued by saying, "The price of uncontrolled tyranny is the blood of the young and brave people of a generation." He stressed that democracy is never secure. "Each generation must receive it, protect it, and fight for it," he proclaimed.
Biden also confirmed the international community's solidarity with Ukraine. "We won't turn our backs," he asserted. "If we do, then Ukraine will be subjugated. (...) And all of Europe will be at risk."
Zelenskyy gained applause upon his arrival. When an elderly veteran attempted to kiss his hand, he embraced the man instead and said, "You are my hero." Zelenskyy had shared in an online service before his arrival that "the Allies defended Europe's freedom during that time, and Ukrainians are doing so now."
Fourteen young historians and actors took part in the commemoration ceremony, including four Germans who read emotional accounts from witnesses from various countries.
In the morning, three separate national commemoration ceremonies for the deceased soldiers from the United States, Great Britain, and Canada were held. Macron arrived late at some of these occasions, causing the British commemoration ceremony to begin without him. Some of the elderly veterans had trouble staying awake.
Just over 250 World War II veterans traveled, including those who were present at the Allied landing on June 6, 1944. Many speakers drew attention to the fact that their number is shrinking. "We are running out of opportunities to learn directly about their experiences," remarked the British King Charles III. "But we have a responsibility to remember the achievements they brought us."
The veterans are primarily in their nineties, with some over 100 years old. Macron awarded several of them the French Legion of Honor. The Ukrainian president will meet with Macron at the Elysee on Friday. It's assumed that Macron will then announce additional military aid for Ukraine.
The Allied landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944 marked the start of the Allies' victory over Nazi Germany. More than 156,000 Allied soldiers arrived, most by boat and others by parachute - and this massive military operation became a new front against the German troops. Tens of thousands of soldiers were killed in the fighting that followed.
