During the commemoration of D-Day – the Allied landings in Normandy 80 years ago – a number of heads of state and government were on site to pay tribute to the soldiers of that time. A moving scene took place between a veteran and Ukrainian President Zelensky.
At the major international commemorative event on the beach of Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer in Northern France, the fighters who landed here in 1944 on the so-called Omaha Beach were honored.
No Russians invited
In addition to French head of state Emmanuel Macron, US President Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and representatives of the British and Dutch royal families were also present. No representative from Russia was invited due to the Russian attack on Ukraine.
As heads of state and government greeted veterans and shook hands, the new war loomed over everything in central Europe. A special exchange took place between an American veteran and Zelensky.
Veteran wanted to kiss the hand
99-year-old Melvin Hurwitz pulled the Ukrainian president’s hand and kissed it. Zelenskyj wanted to end this quickly and leaned forward to hug Hurwitz, who was in a wheelchair. “You are the savior of the people,” the veteran said at the time. Zelenskyy responded, ashamed and moved: “No, no, you saved Europe.”
“I pray for you”
The audience at the event erupted in applause as the encounter was shown on big screens. As Zelenskyj, accompanied by his wife Olena Zelenska, continued to talk to the elderly American, he told the president: “I’m praying for you.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
