Macron Leads Final Bastille Day Parade With Zelenskyy, Croatian Special Forces Participating

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to preside over the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Élysées for the final time during his presidency. This year's event, held on July 14, 2026, carries significant weight, marking a decade since the deadly jihadist attack in Nice and occurring as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be a distinguished guest, underscoring European solidarity.

The parade will showcase a "strong symbol of Europe becoming aware of how dangerous the world is and that it must take its destiny into its own hands," according to a member of Macron's office. Approximately 500 members of the "Coalition of the Willing," supporting Kyiv, will participate, followed by around 25 Ukrainian soldiers. Notably, members of the Croatian Anti-Terrorist Unit Lučko will also march, following a decision by Croatian President Zoran Milanović to prohibit the participation of the Croatian Army.

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The message we are sending to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we value freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we are ready to fight to defend them. Always, even at the cost of blood if necessary.

Macron recently addressed French armed forces, stating, "The message we are sending to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we value freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we are ready to fight to defend them. Always, even at the cost of blood if necessary." The event, despite a heatwave and fire bans in some areas, is expected to draw tens of thousands to Paris. Later in the evening, attention will shift to the World Cup semifinal match between France and Spain.

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A strong symbol of Europe becoming aware of how dangerous the world is and that its destiny must be taken into its own hands.