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Putin not invited to D-Day commemoration despite Soviet Union's historic role in defeating Nazi Germany
From CNN's Lindsay Isaac
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not among world leaders marking the 80thanniversary of the D-Day landing, despite the Soviet Union’s inclusion among the Second World War allies.
In May, French President Emmanuel Macron ruled that no Russian representatives would be invited, building on an earlier decision to allow Moscow to send some representatives – just not higher officials — given Russia’s historic role in defeating Nazi Germany.
The war on the Eastern Front, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, cost the Soviet Union more than 25 million military and civilian lives – more than any other country lost during the war. The allied war against Nazi Germany ended with the fall of Berlin to the Red Army in 1945.
The last time Putin attended D-Day commemorations was in 2014 for the 70thanniversary of the 1944 landings, hosted by former French President Francois Hollande.That appearance was clouded by Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the ceremony was the scene of an impromptu meeting between former US President Barack Obama and Putin.
The decision to not invite Russia comes as Putin ramps up his rhetoric around a global conflict and warns of the potential use of nuclear weapons. On Wednesday, the Russian president warned Western countries they’re taking a “very serious and dangerous step” by supplying weapons to Ukraine, which could result in Moscow arming their enemies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is at the commemorations and will be meeting with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden.
Trudeau: "Canada and the world will keep commemorating this significant day"
From CNN's Josh Berlinger in Paris
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau honored Canada's efforts during the D-Day landing and the sacrifices of the country's soldiers in a speech at his country's commemoration in the small Norman town of Corseulles-sur-Mer on Thursday morning.
"We remember your sacrifices, we remember your stories. It is the responsibility of everyone to continue to share these stories so that future generations never forget the heroism and the courage that was taken to defend our freedom," Trudeau said. "I can promise you that Canada and the world will keep commemorating this significant day for decades and generations to come."
Speaking in a mix of French and English on the shores of Juno Beach, where more than 14,000 Canadian troops landed on D-Day, Trudeau spoke of the heroism of Canada's soldiers -- an all-volunteer outfit as of June 6, 1944.
"Canadian infantry and armored troops were assigned a landing zone of their own, right here at Juno Beach. It was a testament to the esteem held for Canadian soldiers that a country with such a relatively small population would be given such an important role in Operation Overlord. The Canadians proved up to the task," Trudeau said. "On this day 80 years ago, Canadian troops progressed further inland than any of our allies. It was a remarkable achievement. A costly one, too."
Trudeau ended his speech by drawing a parallels between World War II and the threats facing Western democracies today.
"Democracy is still under threat," he said. "It is threatened by aggressors who want to redraw borders. It is threatened by demagoguery, misinformation, disinformation, foreign interference. We must all continue to stand for democracy day in and day out. We owe it to future generations and we owe it to the great women and men in uniform who sacrificed so much for our collective freedom."
Britain's Prince William pays tribute to Canadian troops in D-Day speech
From CNN's Antoinette Radford
The Prince of Wales on Thursday paid tribute to the 14,000 Canadian troops who fought in Normandy on June 6, 1944 “shoulder to shoulder, with thousands of British troops.”
“Standing here today in peaceful silence, it is almost impossible to grasp the courage it would have taken to run into thefury of battle that very day,” he said from Normandy.
The Prince of Wales said the D-Day assault remained the “most ambitious” in military history, that “ultimately led to the liberation of Europe.”
He paid tribute to the Canadians who died in D-Day, and “every Canadian family who lost a loved one” and veterans who lived “with the scars of battle.”
British commemoration ends with King Charles and President Macron laying wreaths
The British commemoration being held at the British Normandy Memorial concluded with King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron and their spouses laying wreaths to honor the troops who lost their lives on D-Day and the ensuing Battle for Normandy.
Macron is expected to head to the ceremony at the American cemetery in nearby Colleville-sur-Mer later this morning.
Biden meets veterans in Normandy
From CNN's Antoinette Radford and Betsy Klein
President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden met Thursday morning with veterans in Normandy, France at D-Day commemorations.
The president shook hands and took photos with various veterans, many of whom wore their military metals and red poppies.
The red poppy is a mark of remembrance in Europe from the World Wars. It came to be because after the destruction of the world wars, red poppies grew in the fields destroyed by battle.
“You saved the soul of the nation – you really did,” Biden told one of the veterans, whom he met inside a glassed gazebo with American and French flags.
“Give me a hug, God love ya… It’s my honor – my honor,” he told another.
“I have a question – when the Hell do you sleep?” one asked him, to which Biden joked, “When the press isn’t looking.”’
One of the veterans gave Biden a challenge coin in return. “You got one for me! God love ya, I’m a collector.”
“Keep the faith, man,” Biden said to another veteran, who told him he’s having a birthday this Saturday. Biden led a rendition of “Happy Birthday” as he offered his thanks.
“God-willing, we’ll see you at the 110thanniversary,” Biden said, saluting another.
Analysis: Biden's visit to Normandy may mark the end of an American era
From CNN's Stephen Collinson
The new world for which the greatest generation sacrificed in the bloody surf of the Normandy beaches is fading into history along with the last of the old soldiers.
The 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings observed byPresident Joe Bidenin France Thursday will likely be the last major decennial commemoration attended by significant numbers of veterans. Even a 19-year-old who stormed ashore in the biggest amphibious operation in history would soon be 100.
This year’s memorial ceremony represents far more than a poignant farewell to surviving comrades of more than 150,000 allied troops who forged a beachhead for the liberation of Europe from Adolf Hitler’s Nazis.
Presidents, prime ministers and monarchs from NATO nations are gathering at a paradoxical moment. They are unusually united but experiencing growing dread. The alliance has a new sense of mission in opposing another war started by a tyrant bent on territorial expansion — this time in Ukraine.
But at no point since June 6, 1944, has the unshakable US leadership of the West and support for internationalist values been so in question. Democracy is facing its sternest test in generations from far-right populism on the march on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Geopolitical empires like Russia and China are, meanwhile, resurgent and threatening to obliterate the global system dominated by Western values that has prevailed since World War II.
Read more about why this D-Day is particularly poignant for European and US leaders.
King Charles: "Our gratitude is unfailing and our admiration eternal"
From CNN's Joshua Berlinger in Paris
King Charles III of Britain participated in his country's Thursday morning commemoration held at the British Normandy Memorial by delivering a speech honoring those who fought in the Battle for Normandy and the French civilians and resistance fighters who lost their lives during World War II.
"Our gratitude is unfailing and our admiration eternal," Charles said.
More than 22,000 British service personnel gave their lives during D-Day and the ensuing Battle of Normandy.
"On the beaches of Normandy, in the seas beyond and in the skies overhead, our armed forces carried out their duty with a humbling sense of resolve and determination," Charles said. "Very many of them never came home. They lost their lives on the D-Day landing grounds or in the many battles that followed. It is with the most profound sense of gratitude that we remember all those that served at that critical time."
In his address, Charles also acknowledged that the world will no longer have any remaining survivors of World War II. The veterans that are still alive are all in their 90s and 100s.
"As the years passed, the veterans of the Normandy campaign become ever fewer in number," Charles said. "Our ability to learn from their stories first-hand diminishes, but our obligation to remember them, what they stood for and what they achieved for us all can never diminish."
The King, whose trip to France is his first overseas since being diagnosed with cancer, also spoke in French when honoring the French civilians and resistance fighters who lost their lives fighting Nazi Germany.
In pictures: The D-Day landings
From CNN Digital's Photo Team
This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day,the largest amphibious invasion in history.
There were many Allied casualties that day — around 4,440 Allied troops were confirmed dead, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with more than 5,800 troops wounded or missing.
See more photos of this historic day.
Security operation ramped up for D-Day commemorations
From CNN's Joshua Berlinger in Paris
American, British and Canadian events are being held this morning at their respective cemeteries in Normandy, after which a larger international event organized by the French will be held on Omaha Beach, where American troops suffered their heaviest casualties on D-Day.
Towns across Normandy also host their own events throughout the day.
With so many heads of state in town, the security measures in place are intense.
A massive contingent of 43,000 security personnel have been deployed over the week’s events, the Interior Ministry has said. For Thursday's events, 12,000 agents will be on hand.
Heavy travel restrictions put in place by French authorities will also effectively cut off the Norman coastline and the normally sleepy towns that dot it from the rest of the country.
