The Russian ambassador to France says President Vladimir Putin will attend D-Day anniversary commemorations there with Western leaders in June.
Aleksandr Orlov said in comments on May 8 to BFM television that Putin will attend a ceremony in Normandy on June 6 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings by Allied forces in World War II.
The event would be the first time Putin would have a chance to meet in person with Western leaders since the Ukraine crisis and Russia's annexation of Crimea started in February.
U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the Western leaders who will also attend the D-Day ceremonies in Normandy.
The White House later said there were no plans for Obama to meet with Putin at the D-Day ceremony.
The news of Putin's attendance came on the same day that French President Francois Hollande said he had told the Russian leader that he is "welcome" to attend the event.
Aleksandr Orlov said in comments on May 8 to BFM television that Putin will attend a ceremony in Normandy on June 6 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings by Allied forces in World War II.
The event would be the first time Putin would have a chance to meet in person with Western leaders since the Ukraine crisis and Russia's annexation of Crimea started in February.
U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the Western leaders who will also attend the D-Day ceremonies in Normandy.
The White House later said there were no plans for Obama to meet with Putin at the D-Day ceremony.
The news of Putin's attendance came on the same day that French President Francois Hollande said he had told the Russian leader that he is "welcome" to attend the event.
