The military parade in France will be dedicated to supporting Ukraine

The traditional military parade in France to mark Bastille Day, which will take place on July 14 on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, will be entirely dedicated to supporting Ukraine and demonstrating the West’s readiness to stand up to Russian aggression. 

This event will have special political significance, as it will be the last military parade during the term of current President Emmanuel Macron. Overall, the entire concept of the upcoming parade was developed by the French General Staff, taking into account the current critical strategic situation in Europe, to clearly demonstrate the tangible results of the large-scale rearmament of its own army against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

This year’s parade is expected to be significantly larger in scale than last year’s, as approximately 10,000 military personnel will take part in the march. In addition, the French military command has decided to increase the number of heavy ground equipment and combat aircraft involved by approximately 30%. The main and most spectacular element of the parade’s air component will be a demonstration of the joint Ukrainian-French aviation partnership. Two Mirage 2000 fighter jets will be piloted by Ukrainian and French pilots, with one of the combat aircraft symbolically repainted in the national colors of Ukraine.

French units deployed on NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in Estonia, Poland, and Romania, will also take direct part in the large-scale festive parade. Paris aims to use this event to reaffirm the steadfastness of European defense commitments and solidarity with countries facing potential threats. Amid these preparations, international media are also reporting on a planned important meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz.

This is reported by the French publication Le Figaro.

We previously reported that during a phone call, French President Emmanuel Macron informed Zelenskyy of an upcoming arms delivery.

It was also reported that France is transferring Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine. Before the transfer, they will also be equipped with new gear.