Macron sends messages on European defense and solidarity with Ukraine at his last Bastille Day parade as president

On the Champs-Élysées boulevard in Paris, France celebrated Bastille Day with a grand military parade, featuring thousands of soldiers, dozens of fighter jets, helicopters, and armored vehicles, all inspected by President Emmanuel Macron and a large number of European leaders.

This national holiday carries special significance, as it marks the last time Emmanuel Macron presides over this ceremony as president, before his second and final constitutional term ends in 2027.

According to international media reports, this year’s spectacle was one of the most impressive in recent times. Around 6,700 troops, 98 aircraft, 31 helicopters, and 315 military vehicles paraded, while a special tribute was paid to the 400th anniversary of the French Navy. Thousands of citizens watched the ceremony closely along the Champs-Élysées, while millions more watched on television.

The main messages of the event focused on strengthening Europe’s defense, increasing French military capabilities, and solidarity with Kyiv. A central element of the parade was precisely support for Ukraine. Representatives from 37 states of the “Coalition of the Willing” were present at the ceremony, with about 500 troops, as well as 25 Ukrainian soldiers who marched as an expression of unwavering support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 24 other heads of state and government from the European continent also gathered in Paris.

The parade opened with an aerial display by the Patrouille de France aerobatic team. The flight also included two Mirage 2000 aircraft with Ukrainian co-pilots trained on French soil, as well as fighter jets from ten different European countries. Two French Rafale fighters flew in a joint formation with Spanish, Italian, and Polish military aircraft, illustrating the close military cooperation among allies.

Another notable participation was that of an infantry unit of the Greek Armed Forces, formed by 21 members of the Inter-Service Honor Company.

In his speech, Emmanuel Macron declared that France aims for peace, but stands ready to defend freedom, security, and international law. He noted that during his term, the defense budget has doubled and recalled that the new military planning law provides for investments worth 436 billion euros for the period 2024-2030, with the aim of further strengthening the defense capabilities of France and Europe.