US President Joe Biden arrived in France on Wednesday for a state visit commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings.
Air Force One landed at Paris Orly Airport, where he was welcomed by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The visit is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
During his stay, Biden, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, British King Charles III, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will pay tribute on Thursday to the bravery of Allied troops who gave their lives during the June 6, 1944, landings to liberate Europe from Nazi control.
While the focus remains on the sacrifice of Allied soldiers, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine will also be a key topic of discussion among several European leaders in attendance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with Biden during the visit.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian President Sergio Mattarella will participate as symbols of international reconciliation in the post-World War II era.
Notably, no representatives from Russia have been invited after Paris withdrew its invitation to lower-level officials, recognizing the Soviet Union’s significant role in World War II.
