France displayed its military might and unity with allies during the famous Bastille Day parade held in Paris, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the guest of honor.
At a time when Europe is accelerating efforts to strengthen defenses in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the parade was accompanied by a record military presence: 6,700 troops, 98 planes, 31 helicopters and 315 military vehicles marched from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
Prime Minister Edi Rama was also invited to the grand event. The Albanian flag was also waved on the Champs-Élysées boulevard; the head of government shared images of the parade on social networks.
The parade, which commemorates the attack on the Bastille prison during the French Revolution, took place a day after a summit of Ukraine’s allies organized by Emmanuel Macron, where Prime Minister Rama was also present.
The French President declared that Europe must be ready to defend freedom and the rule of law, even if this would require great sacrifices. He has supported the idea of an EU that is stronger militarily and less dependent on the United States.
It was the last Bastille Day parade for Macron, who will leave office next year after two presidential terms. The ceremony also had a commemorative dimension, as it marked the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack in Nice during Bastille Day celebrations, which killed 86 people and injured over 400 others.
