Western leaders and World War II veterans are on Thursday gathering on the beaches of Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings that liberated Europe from Nazi occupation. This year's ceremonies hold particular significance as the ongoing war in Ukraine, taking place on Europe's doorstep, introduces new threats to democracy.
US President Joe Biden, Britain's King Charles and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – representing the Allied powers – will join French President Emmanuel Macron for the day of tributes.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and many other heads of state, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, will also be present.
Russia – which set off Europe's biggest armed conflict since World War II with its invasion of Ukraine – is not invited.
Some 200 mostly American and British veterans are taking part in ceremonies throughout the day on windswept beaches that still bear the scars of the fighting that erupted on D-Day, history's largest amphibious invasion.
With the numbers of veterans fast dwindling, this is likely to be the last major ceremony in Normandy honouring them in their presence.
Follow RFI's LIVE BLOG of Thursday's commemorations ....
