Russia on Thursday invited French soldiers to participate in a high-profile military parade in Red Square to commemorate 75 years since the end of World War II. In a meeting with his French counterpart, Russia's chief of staff General Valery Gerasimov said French troops were invited to march through Red Square together with Russians to mark the end of the war in Europe, the defence ministry said.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend the large-scale celebrations on May 9, the day the Russians commemorate the defeat of the Nazis in what they call the Great Patriotic War. US President Donald Trump has indicated he is also interested in coming.
The invitation for French troops comes as Macron is seeking a policy of dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin even on the most contentious issues, a stance that has raised eyebrows among some EU counterparts. "We deeply respect the memory of the French soldiers, who together with the Red Army, battled against the common enemy and will be happy to see a French contingent among participants of the Victory Parade in Red Square on May 9," Gerasimov told France's top general Francois Lecointre.
He said "direct and open" dialogue with France was important, especially in the run-up to the commemorations, the defence ministry said.
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