The President of the United States, Joe Biden, will be received by his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on June 8 in Paris on the occasion of his “first state visit to France,” the Elysée announced on Thursday.
This visit “will be preceded by the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied Landings” during the Second World War, on June 6 in Normandy, which will be attended by the American president and his wife, Jill Biden. The White House specified in another press release that Joe Biden would be in France from June 5 to 9.
“While 80 years after the liberation of Europe, war has returned to the continent, the two presidents will discuss the unfailing and long-term support to be given to Ukraine,” declared the Elysée. “This close coordination on international crises will be intended to prepare the next international events, in particular the G7 summit in Bari”, in mid-June in Italy, “and the NATO summit”, in July in Washington, further clarified the French presidency.
“Defend freedom and democracy”
This visit comes in a tense geopolitical context, with the war in Ukraine and the crisis in Gaza, as well as in a particular electoral context for both leaders. Joe Biden is currently campaigning for his re-election against his predecessor, Donald Trump. And the European elections, scheduled for June 9 in France, are shaping up to be perilous for Emmanuel Macron’s friends.
Before the announcement of his state visit, Joe Biden was already expected in France to attend the D-Day commemorations. In addition to the American President, Joe Biden, the King of England, Charles III, and the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, will be present, but not the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. On June 7, Joe Biden “will deliver a speech at Pointe du Hoc,” still in Normandy, “on the importance of defending freedom and democracy,” according to the White House.