France celebrates Bastille Day with military parade joined by European leaders and Ukrainian soldiers

President Emmanuel Macron, joined by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attended the annual Bastille Day parade in Paris.

• A military parade marched through Paris with fighter jets leaving red, white, and blue smoke trails in the sky.
• The parade is held each year on 14 July to commemorate the storming of the Bastille fortress in 1789.
• President Macron was joined by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
• Soldiers from Ukraine and its 'Coalition of the Willing' allies marched in the parade.

Latest developments

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received France's Légion d'honneur from President Emmanuel Macron, in recognition of his leadership in establishing the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine.
• The award was presented during the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, attended by President Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
• Starmer became the first British prime minister to receive this high French honor.
• The parade was France's largest Bastille Day military parade, featuring approximately 6,700 troops, 98 aircraft, and 315 vehicles.
• The event was attended by over 25 world leaders and included forces from 35 allied nations.
• The parade marked the final Bastille Day of President Macron's term, which ends in 2027.