WWII Ally Russia Not Invited to D-Day Anniversary: 'These Are Not the Right Conditions'

The French cited Moscow's 'war of aggression' against Ukraine

Russia/D-Day
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, pictured in Moscow on June 21, 2023, will not be invited to the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France next week. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

Russia will not be invited to take part in the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings because of its war against Ukraine, according to reports.

"These are not the right conditions for [Russia] to be included, given the war of aggression launched in 2022, which has only intensified in recent weeks," a French government official said, Politico.eu reported.

A French government official, briefing reporters on the June 6 ceremony in Normandy, said President Vladimir Putin would not be invited but Ukrainian Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be because of his country's "just fight" against Russia, Reuters reported.

He will participate in the commemorations along with President Joe Biden and dozens of other world leaders.

D-Day organizers said in May that Putin would not be on the guest list, but there were plans for Russia to be represented due to its role in the war, Politico.eu reported.

But World War II allies, including the United Kingdom, the United States, raised concerns.

The Russian leader attended 60th anniversary commemorations in 2004 and the 70th anniversary shortly after he illegally annexed Crimea, the report said.

The then-Soviet Union fought the Nazis on the Eastern Front in what it calls the Great Patriotic War. It lost about 27 million people during the war.

Tags
D-Day, France, United States, World War II
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