France hopes to send ‘strategic signal’ about Europe’s renewed military focus at Bastille Day celebrations – Europe live
France is hosting its annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, featuring a significant display of troops and equipment to signal a renewed European military focus. The event includes international participation, including Ukrainian soldiers, and coincides with ongoing EU accession talks for several nations.
Why it matters
The parade serves as a symbolic geopolitical statement regarding European defense unity and the ongoing support for Ukraine amidst regional instability.
Over 300 vehicles and 6,500 soldiers will march down the iconic Champs-Élysées in central Paris this morning as part of today’s Bastille Day celebration in Paris, which is set to “send a strategic signal” about France and Europe’s military awakening.
Troops get ready for the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background in Paris./Getty Images Marking the importance of international cooperation, the parade will also include 500 troops from the countries involved in the Coalition of the Willing, including Germany, and 25 soldiers from Ukraine .
It will be Emmanuel Macron’s tenth – and final – parade ahead of next year’s presidential election. He has a strong guest list this year, though, with many leaders staying overnight after yesterday’s talks on Ukraine, including Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.
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