Jets from the French Air and Space Force's Patrouille de France trail blue, white and red smoke as they fly over the statues atop the entrance to the Tuileries Garden during the Bastille Day military parade in Paris Tuesday. Some areas had to cancel fireworks because of wildfires. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI | License Photo
July 14 (UPI) -- French President Emmanuel Macron presided over his final Bastille Day parade, playing host to several European guests, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinsky.
The festivities happened during France's third heat wave this summer and amid wildfires ravaging the country. Some areas had to cancel fireworks displays and other celebrations because of the fires, while temperatures were in the 80s and 90s.
Macron was joined for the annual military parade by Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with several others.
"The message we send to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal," Macron said Monday in a speech to the military. "Yes, we cherish freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we stand ready to fight to defend them. Always, and at the cost of blood if necessary."
