France says Russia can be represented but president will not be invited because of war in Ukraine

Russia will be invited to send representatives to an international ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-day – but not Vladimir Putin, the French organisers have announced.

The Élysée is reported to have accepted that the country should be represented but said its leader is not welcome because of Moscow’s ongoing war on Ukraine.

“In view of the circumstances, President Putin will not be invited to take part in the commemorations of the Normandy landings,” the Liberation Mission organising committee said.

  • plz1@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Yeah, LOLing at this. He wouldn’t set foot in any country that participates in the ICC with an open international warrant out for his arrest. I think that whole thing is symbolic, though, since no host country is likely to risk open warfare with Russia by detaining their president, criminal charges notwithstanding.

    • Buddahriffic@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Or would it go like Stalin when those who were present when he collapsed could have saved him but decided instead to do nothing?

      I’d think that those who have enough power in Russia to launch a rescue war might decide instead they are better off without him. But it does depend on what kind of dead man switches he has set.