France invites European powers to attend July 14 Bastille Day celebrations
France has invited European powers to its July 14 Bastille Day celebrations, focusing on support for Ukraine. The event will highlight the theme of 'European strategic awakening' amid ongoing tensions related to the war in Ukraine. This year's parade will be President Macron's last before leaving office, emphasizing political backing for Kyiv.
- ▪France has invited European states in Ukraine's coalition to attend Bastille Day celebrations.
- ▪The coalition aims to firm up security guarantees for Kyiv amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
- ▪The 2026 celebrations will focus on the theme of 'European strategic awakening'.
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France invites European powers to attend July 14 Bastille Day celebrationsSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 19, 2026, 11:23 PMUpdated May 19, 2026, 11:23 PMPARIS, May 19 - France has invited European states in Ukraine's "coalition of the willing" to attend its July 14 Bastille Day celebrations, according to an official invitation seen by Reuters on Tuesday.Led by France and Britain, the coalition is mainly composed of European nations aiming to firm up security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2014 and again at full scale in 2022.The 2026 Bastille Day commemorations will be held under the theme of "European strategic awakening," according to the invitation, at a time of heightened strains in…
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