In Pictures: How D-Day Diplomacy Has Shaped Geopolitics
France is set to host world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Russia has not been invited to the June 6 commemorations due to its ongoing war in Ukraine. The ceremonies honor soldiers who fought and died in the 1944 Allied landings that contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany. But over the years, the gatherings have taken on a diplomatic dimension with heads of state coming together to address burning geopolitical issues.
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French troops disembark from a U.S. landing craft showcasing an amphibious landing on Omaha Beach on June 4 ahead of 80th anniversary D-Day ceremonies in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. The drill was held at a time when French President Emmanuel Macron is considering sending military instructors from his country to Ukraine.
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The Elysee Palace announced that Macron will receive his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in Paris on June 7.
Macron has not ruled out sending soldiers to Ukraine, despite opposition from other NATO countries and strong criticism from Moscow, which has warned against such a move, arguing that it would dramatically escalate the conflict.
Macron has not ruled out sending soldiers to Ukraine, despite opposition from other NATO countries and strong criticism from Moscow, which has warned against such a move, arguing that it would dramatically escalate the conflict.
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U.S. President Joe Biden is greeted by members of a French honor guard as he arrives at Paris-Orly Airport on June 5 ahead of D-Day commemorations. Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the ceremonies and is expected to deliver a speech about defending democracy in Europe.
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During the 70th anniversary in 2014, Ukraine's president-elect, Petro Poroshenko (right), walks past Russian President Vladimir Putin without acknowledging his presence amid tensions over Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, which had occurred three months earlier.
In an attempt to resolve the crisis sparked by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and Moscow's annexation of Crimea, then-French President Francois Hollande had invited his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts in an effort to reduce tensions over the conflict.
In an attempt to resolve the crisis sparked by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and Moscow's annexation of Crimea, then-French President Francois Hollande had invited his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts in an effort to reduce tensions over the conflict.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Normandy on June 6, 2014, during events held to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
During the commemorations, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France met informally in an attempt to resolve the war in Ukraine's Donbas region. Notably absent from the group was the United States. The talks led to the establishment of the Minsk Protocol later the same year.
During the commemorations, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France met informally in an attempt to resolve the war in Ukraine's Donbas region. Notably absent from the group was the United States. The talks led to the establishment of the Minsk Protocol later the same year.
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After Russia was excluded from the 75th anniversary D-Day commemorations, the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany met at the Normandy Format meeting in Paris on December 9, 2019, in a significant diplomatic effort aimed at addressing the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The participants -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel -- met in hopes of achieving a lasting cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, parts of which had been under the control of Russia-backed separatists since 2014.
The participants -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel -- met in hopes of achieving a lasting cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, parts of which had been under the control of Russia-backed separatists since 2014.
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Macron embraces Zelenskiy after the summit in Paris.
The meeting marked a tentative restart of high-level political communication between Kyiv and Moscow and a renewed commitment to the Minsk agreements, a series of measures aimed at achieving a lasting cease-fire. Despite the promising steps, the summit did not result in a major breakthrough.
The meeting marked a tentative restart of high-level political communication between Kyiv and Moscow and a renewed commitment to the Minsk agreements, a series of measures aimed at achieving a lasting cease-fire. Despite the promising steps, the summit did not result in a major breakthrough.
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A large video screen shows then-U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin as they arrive for D-Day commemorations in 2014.
President Obama's speech underscored the importance of NATO and collective security in light of rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
President Obama's speech underscored the importance of NATO and collective security in light of rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
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The 2014 commemoration was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin (left), Czech President Milos Zeman (second from left), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center), Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (second from right), and Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko.
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U.S. President George W. Bush delivers a speech at the Normandy American Cemetery during the 60th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2004.
This was also the first time that Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited to the commemorations, where he highlighted the sacrifices of the Soviet Union.
This was also the first time that Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited to the commemorations, where he highlighted the sacrifices of the Soviet Union.
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During the 2004 D-Day commemoration, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac embraced, marking a milestone in French-German relations.
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D-Day ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary on June 6, 1994, were attended by then-French President Francois Mitterrand (second from left) and his wife, Danielle (second from right), who were joined by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (left) and U.S. President Bill Clinton (right).
In remarks he made the next day, Clinton said, "The Soviet Empire is gone," as he praised Russians, Poles, and others for participating in the liberation of Europe. This period also saw NATO's expansion into Eastern Europe, underlining the United States' commitment to European security.
In remarks he made the next day, Clinton said, "The Soviet Empire is gone," as he praised Russians, Poles, and others for participating in the liberation of Europe. This period also saw NATO's expansion into Eastern Europe, underlining the United States' commitment to European security.
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From left: King Olav of Norway (partially obscured) King Baudouin of Belgium, French President Francois Mitterrand, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, and U.S. President Ronald Reagan stand at attention as anthems are played during 40th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings, on June 6, 1984, in Normandy.
Reagan's speech at Pointe du Hoc was intended not only as a tribute to the heroism of the men who stormed the beaches but was also seen as a symbolic statement reinforcing the U.S. commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy against the backdrop of the Cold War.
Reagan's speech at Pointe du Hoc was intended not only as a tribute to the heroism of the men who stormed the beaches but was also seen as a symbolic statement reinforcing the U.S. commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy against the backdrop of the Cold War.
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President Reagan and his wife, Nancy, lay flowers at the grave of World War II Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. at the Normandy American Cemetery on June 6, 1984.
U.S. historian Michael Dolski noted that Reagan's speeches at the D-Day commemorations significantly contributed to the “mythic” status of the event in late 20th-century American culture.
U.S. historian Michael Dolski noted that Reagan's speeches at the D-Day commemorations significantly contributed to the “mythic” status of the event in late 20th-century American culture.
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French children play on the beach in Vierville-dur-Mer -- known as Omaha Beach -- where German bunkers still stand on June 6, 1964, 20 years after the D-Day landings.
Throughout his 11 years as president of France, Charles de Gaulle declined to take part in D-Day events. “He refused to commemorate June 6, given the way he had been treated at the time of the D-Day landings. He hadn't been involved in the discussions or in the implementation of the plan,” says historian Denis Peschanski.
De Gaulle also did not invite world leaders to the 25th anniversary in 1969.
Throughout his 11 years as president of France, Charles de Gaulle declined to take part in D-Day events. “He refused to commemorate June 6, given the way he had been treated at the time of the D-Day landings. He hadn't been involved in the discussions or in the implementation of the plan,” says historian Denis Peschanski.
De Gaulle also did not invite world leaders to the 25th anniversary in 1969.
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The 20th anniversary of the Allies' D-Day landings on June 6, 1964, was a modest event compared to modern commemorations.
Many of the world's leaders now view events marking D-Day as crucial political and diplomatic occasions, but June 6 was not always so well-attended, and it took several decades for the date to become a red-letter day of commemoration.
Many of the world's leaders now view events marking D-Day as crucial political and diplomatic occasions, but June 6 was not always so well-attended, and it took several decades for the date to become a red-letter day of commemoration.
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For the 10th anniversary of D-Day in 1954, the ceremonies took on a more official tone. French President René Coty, a native of Le Havre, inaugurated the D-Day Museum, the first museum built in Normandy to commemorate the landings.
The 80th anniversary will likely be the last 10-year anniversary at which veterans who fought and survived will be present on the beaches where thousands of their counterparts died.
The 80th anniversary will likely be the last 10-year anniversary at which veterans who fought and survived will be present on the beaches where thousands of their counterparts died.
