Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared an emotional moment with an American D-Day veteran during a ceremony in Normandy, France, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the historic landing on Thursday.
In the moment captured on video, a wheelchair-bound former service member pulled Zelensky close, saying: “You’re the savior of the people. You’re my hero,” and gave him a strong hug.
The Ukrainian leader replied: “No, no, you saved Europe. You are our hero.”
The unidentified veteran then said, “I pray for you.”
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This heartfelt moment was captured on the official broadcast of the event, shown on screens across Omaha Beach. The exchange was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, which included veterans, their family members and event assistants.
Zelensky, whose country has been fighting a defensive war against Russia since Moscow’s invasion in February 2022, was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to Thursday’s D-Day commemoration as a symbolic gesture. Western leaders gathered in Normandy to remember the operation that paved the way to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation.
“You’re the savior of the people, you bring tears to my eyes.”
“No no, you saved Europe.”
“My hero.”
“No, you are our hero.”
“I pray for you.”Heartbreaking between @ZelenskyyUa & a #DDay veteran, who knows the cost. He kisses his hand & won’t let go.
pic.twitter.com/qQoI2SekeR— Jessica Berlin (@berlin_bridge) June 6, 2024
“I thank the Ukrainian people for their bravery. Here we stand, and we will not falter,” Macron said to his counterparts that included President Joe Biden, King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of England, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Each of those countries provided Allied troops that land on the beaches of Normandy this day eight decades ago.
Biden used his address at the American cemetery in Normandy to praise Ukraine for its fight against Russia, comparing Vladimir Putin’s invasion to the Nazi occupation of France.
“Today, democracy is more at risk worldwide than at any time since the end of World War II,” the president said.
Throughout his speech, Biden frequently drew connections between the fight against fascism in World War II and the ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting the importance of post-war alliances like NATO.
“What the allies did here 80 years ago far surpassed anything we could have done on our own,” he added, “a lesson that I pray we Americans never forget.”
The ceremony on the beach where the landing took place was marked by the absence of a delegation from Russia, which did send dignitaries for the 70th anniversary. The Soviet Union was a member of the Allies during the war.
The French president rejected Russia’s claim that France was failing to honor the USSR’s contribution in defeating Nazi Germany, pointing to its invasion of Ukraine.
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