On the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a solemn warning about the return of war to the continent. Speaking at a ceremony beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Macron reflected on the hard-won peace following World War II and cautioned that this peace is once again under threat.
As Europe faces the fourth year of the war in Ukraine, Macron denounced the resurgence of imperialism and authoritarianism, noting that the rights of sovereign nations are being violated once more. “We are witnessing the return of war, of totalitarian behaviour, of the denial of nations’ rights,” he said.
The commemoration featured a historic military parade along the Champs-Élysées, symbolizing both remembrance and resilience. Macron reminded citizens that peace must never be taken for granted, declaring, “We’ll never be done with fighting for victory.”
In the wake of growing global instability and uncertainty over future U.S. support for NATO, many European countries are now prioritizing increased defense spending and strengthening collective security.