On the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a solemn warning that war has once again cast its shadow over Europe. Speaking during a

commemorative ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Thursday, Macron reflected on the enduring consequences of conflict as Europe marks eight decades since Nazi Germany's surrender ended World War II on the continent.

Addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year, Macron cautioned against assuming lasting peace was guaranteed after 1945. "The spectre of war has returned," he said, citing a troubling revival of imperialist and authoritarian actions that violate the sovereignty of nations.

The ceremony featured a grand parade of historic World War II military vehicles along the Champs-Élysées, a powerful reminder of the continent’s wartime past. Against this backdrop, Macron stressed the enduring need to defend freedom: "We’ll never be done with fighting for victory."

The French president’s remarks come amid growing concerns in Europe over collective security, particularly as countries bolster defence budgets and brace for possible shifts in U.S. support for NATO under a potential second Trump administration. Photo by Remi Jouan, Wikimedia commons.