France invites Russia to a ceremony, an affront to Ukraine ?

France should invite Russia to an international ceremony organized in Normandy on June 6, 2024, for the 80th anniversary of the Liberation.

An episode that could be commented on. According to information from Europe 1, Russia should be represented on June 6, during an international ceremony organized in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. National radio claims that an invitation from France was received. addressed "&to the diplomatic representation of Moscow in France" to participate in the commemorations of June 6, 1944. For the moment, Moscow has not accepted the invitation. 

Vladimir Putin will not be present

If Russia could be represented next June, the master of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, will not be there. It is aimed at by an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Russian president was present at the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings in Paris. Colleville-sur-Mer, but was absent five years ago.

As a reminder, 27 million Soviets died fighting against Germany during the Second World War. And if the USSR had not taken part in the landing on the Normandy beaches, it was one of the allies. So, can this invitation be qualified as an insult? Ukraine due to the current geopolitical situation?

What message sent? &agrav; Ukraine ?

February 24, 2022 marked a turning point for Europe and international relations with the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. Since then, France has ranked ranked 15th among countries or institutions providing the most aid in value terms Ukraine, with a total amount of 1.8 billion euros from January 24, 2022 to January 15, 2024 according to Statista. During this p  oacute;period, the support officially grantedé by the French government was mainly ´acute; financial (800 million euros) and military (640 million euros). Voilaà why, the invitation of Russia by France next June, in the current context, could greatly offend the Ukrainian leaders as well as the relations between the l'Elysée and the Kremlin have lead in their wings. 

Franco-Russian diplomacy on a tightrope

In addition, relations between Moscow and Paris have become significantly strained in recent weeks, until recently. reach, perhaps, the point of no return this month of April. Latest episode to date: an exchange ;phone between the French and Russian Defense Ministers, Sébastien Lecornu and Sergueï Choïgou.

In its report of this meeting on counter-terrorism (the first in this area since October 2022), Russia indicated: "hope&eac;re" that the French secret services are not involved in the attack perpetrated in the suburbs of Moscow on March 22. French President Emmanuel Macron said "baroque and threatening comments". The head of French diplomacy, Stéphane Séjourn&eac; ;also estimatedé Monday that Paris no longer saw the interest in to discuss with Moscow, "since the communiqués that come out, the reports that are made about them are lies".