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Bastille Day parade showcases European support for Ukraine

cultureJul 14, 2026667,816

France’s July 14 Bastille Day parade put European backing for Ukraine center stage as around 500 troops from the Coalition of the Willing marched alongside French forces and aircraft from 11 European countries took part in the flypast. Ukrainian troops marched on the Champs-Élysées and Ukrainian co-pilots trained in France flew two Mirage 2000B jets alongside French pilots. President Emmanuel Macron hosted about 30 other heads of state or government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a special viewing area; Macron called the participation a ″great honour″ illustrating Europe’s strategic reawakening and unity. The parade set a record for marching participants at 6,800 troops, up from 5,810 in 2025. Organizers framed the event as a signal to Moscow and a demonstration of European defence cooperation, while raging forest fires and a heatwave forced cancellations of fireworks and firefighters’ balls in some regions during France’s biggest national holiday.

Luca Migo
@victinibcn.bsky.social

A historic moment in Paris! For the first time ever, Ukrainian troops marched down the Champs-Élysées for Bastille Day celebrations. Even the skies joined in, featuring Ukrainian pilots flying in French Mirage fighter jets. A truly powerful symbol of European solidarity. 🇺🇦🇫🇷

3588Yesterday
Kinlika
@kinlika.bsky.social

There are no US politicians in attendance at the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris today A Europe without the United States Not that long ago such a thing was unthinkable A nation held to ransom by an 80 year old child Allowed by 346 million American Cowards www.france24.com/en/france/20...

159Yesterday
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