French President Emmanuel Macron participated in a ceremony in Paris to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event took place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located beneath the Arc de Triomphe. During the ceremony, Macron laid a wreath in remembrance. This event occurred amid heightened tensions due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia has recently cautioned that French troops in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that French forces on Ukrainian soil would face action from Russian military.

In a separate development, concerns have been raised about the efficacy of a £300 million anti-drone defence system named Parade, designed by Thales, intended for security at the upcoming Paris Olympics. During tests, the system showed limitations including erroneous identifications and a low detection rate, failing to detect two-thirds of drones within an 800-metre radius in urban settings. The RAF has offered assistance to France with drone jamming technology to bolster security measures for the event.

Additionally, Macron has been criticised by Charles-Henri Gallois, leader of Generation Frexit, who accused him of over-reliance on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Paris. These discussions, which also involved von der Leyen, centered on trade disputes, the Ukraine situation, and Middle East conflicts. Xi Jinping stressed China’s neutral stance in the Ukraine conflict, advocating for renewed dialogue. Von der Leyen addressed European trade concerns and assured measures to protect Europe’s economic and security interests. The criticism from Gallois touches upon broader debates regarding France’s sovereignty and its dynamics within the European Union.