The last parade on July 14, received by President Emmanuel Macron, brought together thousands of French soldiers, as well as more than twenty foreign heads of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and hundreds of European soldiers.
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The parade, organized to commemorate the storming of the Bastille, one of the most important symbols of the French Revolution, was held the day after a new high-level meeting of Ukraine’s allies took place in Paris.
Among other European leaders watching the parade were German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was on one of his last foreign visits in office.
K. Starmer, together with E. Macron, led European efforts to support Ukraine, which has been fighting Russia’s large-scale invasion for almost two and a half years, but is now stepping down.
Almost 6,700 soldiers, 98 aircraft, 31 helicopters, and 315 vehicles participated in this year’s parade, and a record number of soldiers marched along the traditional route between the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.
The parade was meant to illustrate “France’s rearmament, France’s strategic autonomy, and Europe’s strategic awakening,” said a representative of the French presidency.
“What is marching past us is Europe – united and determined to support Ukraine in the face of Russia, Europe confident in itself,” Defense Deputy Minister Alice Rufo told RTL radio.
“The price of blood”
Tens of thousands of people, undeterred by the heatwave, came to the celebration in central Paris, having purchased special QR codes in advance that allowed them to enter beyond the security perimeter.
About 500 soldiers from the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” mostly European countries supporting Kyiv in its fight against Moscow, also participated in the parade. They were followed by 25 Ukrainian soldiers.
E. Macron, who seeks a strategically autonomous and less US-dependent Europe, stated on Monday that Europe will fight for freedom, even if it means shedding the blood of its soldiers.
“We send this message to the world: yes, peace is our goal,” he said in his traditional speech to the armed forces.
“Yes, we cherish freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we are ready to fight to defend them. Always, and if necessary – at the price of blood,” E. Macron emphasized.
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