Macron Leads Ceremony Marking End of WWII in Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech as he visits the World War II Montluc prison to pay tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin, on the anniversary of the end of the war, outside Lyon, France, Monday, May 8, 2023. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech as he visits the World War II Montluc prison to pay tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin, on the anniversary of the end of the war, outside Lyon, France, Monday, May 8, 2023. (Reuters)
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Macron Leads Ceremony Marking End of WWII in Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech as he visits the World War II Montluc prison to pay tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin, on the anniversary of the end of the war, outside Lyon, France, Monday, May 8, 2023. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech as he visits the World War II Montluc prison to pay tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin, on the anniversary of the end of the war, outside Lyon, France, Monday, May 8, 2023. (Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron led the traditional ceremony on Paris’ Champs-Elysees Monday, commemorating the day that marked the end of World War II in Europe in 1945.

Flanked by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Macron laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe monument. A brass band played the Marseillaise.

To limit disruptions amid ongoing opposition to Macron and his contested pension reforms, police banned gatherings around the area of the ceremony in the French capital, and in Lyon where the president traveled later in the day.

In Lyon, several streets were closed to traffic, some parking was prohibited and public transport disrupted.

Authorities are being vigilant to ensure that a “casserolade” or the loud banging of pots and pans in protest will not distract from the memorial ceremonies.

In Lyon, Macron paid to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin. Macron visited Montluc prison, where Moulin was detained and tortured by the Gestapo.

Unions called for protests in some authorized zones of Lyon, where the sound of clanking pots and pans echoed despite police restrictions. Authorities dispersed the rowdiest elements of the protest with tear gas.



Russia Warns US Against 'Military Intervention' in Iran-Israel War

FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
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Russia Warns US Against 'Military Intervention' in Iran-Israel War

FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday warned the United States not to take military action against Iran, amid speculation over whether Washington will enter the war alongside Israel.

"We would like to particularly warn Washington against military intervention in the situation, which would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences," the ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran has not asked its ally Russia for military help amid its escalating air war with Israel.

"Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this," Putin said in response to a question from an AFP reporter at a televized press conference in Saint Petersburg.