French President Emmanuel Macron hosted U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday in a state visit to France following the commemoration of the Allied Normandy landings.
The visit is aimed at drawing parallels between World War II and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The visit began with an official welcome for Biden at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris around 10:30 GMT. The presidents and their wives participated in a lavish ceremony that included a military parade on the Champs-Élysées.
The presidents aim to showcase the renewed warmth in U.S.-France relations after a series of disagreements in recent years. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized on Friday that both parties want to show they are "closer than ever before."
The two leaders are scheduled to make statements to the press on Saturday.
This state visit to France marks Biden's longest foreign trip amid his campaign for the November presidential election, where he will face Republican Donald Trump.
Biden arrived in Paris on Wednesday and traveled to Normandy in northwest France on Thursday to participate in ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings that paved the way for victory over Nazi Germany in 1944. After the official visit on Saturday, Biden will visit the American Cemetery on Sunday before returning to the United States.
The visit is expected to draw additional criticism for Macron, who has already been accused by his opponents of using diplomatic events this week to campaign for the European elections scheduled in France on Sunday.
Follow the latest news on Google News
