What's happened
French organizers have excluded Russian President Vladimir Putin from the 80th D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia will be represented, but Putin will not attend the ceremony on June 6.
Why it matters
The exclusion of Putin from the D-Day anniversary is a significant diplomatic move by France, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. It underscores the importance of acknowledging historical events while condemning present-day aggression, shaping international relations and historical commemorations.
What the papers say
The French organizers have taken a firm stance against Putin's exclusion, emphasizing the importance of honoring the sacrifices of the Soviet peoples in World War II. In contrast, Russian representatives have not commented on the decision, leaving room for speculation on the diplomatic implications.
How we got here
The decision to exclude Putin comes in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has strained relations with Western countries. The D-Day anniversary commemorates the Allied forces' victory over Nazi Germany, with Russia playing a significant role in the defeat of the Axis powers during World War II.
Common question
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II.