Hollande’s Absence at Moscow Parade 'the Insult of History'

© Flickr / Parti socialisteFrench president Francois Hollande
French president Francois Hollande - Sputnik International
Subscribe
A number of French politicians said it was a “shame” that their president is on Washington’s leash after rejecting Russia’s invitation to attend the Moscow Victory Day Parade.

President Putin at military parade to mark 70th anniversary of Victory in 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War - Sputnik International
Putin: Absense of Western Leaders at Moscow Victory Parade 'Their Choice'
Francois Hollande's decision to boycott the Moscow Victory Day Parade on May 9 that commemorated the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany 70 years ago was a big mistake, French politicians said, according to Ouest France.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, a former French presidential candidate and founder of the Left Party, was furious about Hollande's absence in Moscow, calling it a "shame."

"The absence of Hollande is a diplomatic, as well as a historical insult. I'll call it what it is: a shame… It is even worse because Vladimir Putin came to honor the 70th anniversary of the Allies' troops landing at Normandy," Melenchon said.

Jacques Myard, a member of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party, also agreed that Hollande's absence was a shameful act, adding that Russia is a key partner for France in Europe and Hollande shouldn't have changed his stance towards Russia because of the crisis in Ukraine.

"Hollande's refusal to visit Moscow is the insult of history!"

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, a UMP member, shared his thoughts:

"The refusal of Francois Hollande to attend the ceremonies in Moscow is a shame and a mistake. This date is very important for Russians who paid a heavy price, 27 million people died fighting the war against Nazis."

And finally, Florian Philippot, one of the leaders of the Front National (FN), tweeted:

French President Francois Hollande - Sputnik International
Hypocrisy 101: Hollande Skips Moscow Parade, Seeks Closer Ties With Saudis
Most Western leaders decided to boycott the Moscow Victory Day Parade citing the crisis in Ukraine. Political tensions between Russia and the West deteriorated over the last year, reaching their lowest point since the end of the Cold War.

Despite choosing not to attend the parade in Moscow, Hollande was willing to establish greater ties with Arab monarchies. On May 5, Hollade went to Saudi Arabia as a guest of honor to attend a summit of the Council of the Arab League.

French political columnist Yannik Chauvin heavily criticized the move, stating that Hollande was quick to extend his hand of friendship to Saudi Arabia that has a terrible record of human rights abuses and was accused of sponsoring global terrorism.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала