Vladimir Putin (RIA Novosti /Alexei Nikolskiy)
Putin To Join Obama, Merkel At WW2 Event In France -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Western leaders for the first time since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis when he attends a World War Two anniversary in France next month, the Russian ambassador to Paris said on Thursday.
U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among those due to attend the June 6 ceremony in Normandy to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings that helped turn the tide of the war against Nazi Germany.
Ambassador Alexander Orlov confirmed Putin's planned attendance in comments to BFM television, after France's president and defense minister both said the Russian leader - accused by the West of destabilizing neighboring Ukraine - was still welcome to come.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin Will Join Western Leaders D-Day’s 70th Anniversary
Putin to join D-Day ceremonies despite Ukraine tensions -- Global Post/AFP
Putin to face Western leaders at D-Day anniversary -- Washington Post/AP
Putin going to France for D-Day’s 70th anniversary -- AP
Obama, Putin to mark D-Day celebration in France -- Washington Times
Obama and Putin to mark WWII anniversary, but unlikely to meet -- Kansas City/McClatchy News
Putin to attend D-Day ceremony in France -- UPI
Putin to meet Obama, Merkel at WWII Normandy landing anniversary in France -- RT
Merkel Welcomes Putin’s Attendance at D-Day Commemoration -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Update: No Obama-Putin one-on-one at D-Day anniversary -- Global Post/AFP
2 comments:
This is a moment of a lifetime. To the best of my knowledge this is the first time the representative of the country that fought a truly life and death struggle has come to acknowledge to sacrifice of the other allies. Also, to my knowledge no Western leader has ever attended a Russia memorial. Not only do few in the West even know about Russia's participation, but have no idea how incalculable was it's sacrifice and unimaginable it's suffering.
If Putin is gracious in speech and demeanor he will capture the high ground for a long time.
In a cold realist assessment this is a propaganda opportunity of high order. Though the Western press (especially the US) will try shade Putin negatively, they will be forced to recount Russia's part of the great war. Obama will bring a teleprompter and hash tags and Putin will bring history.
Yes, yes, and yes James.
Putin is also playing a certain role in front of the Russia audience. He wants to appear reasonable, willing to compromise, sympathetic, understanding, gracious, etc .... by visiting the D-Day ceremonies I predict that this will cement his image .... and it will help define his Presidency. To say that this is a win-win for him in everywhere is an understatement. And if he is ostracized by the West .... his support in Russia will climb even higher.
Now if he quotes President Reagan's famous D-Day speech .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEIqdcHbc8I .... even I will be impressed.
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