Finland participates in Ukraine support meeting and France’s National Day celebrations in Paris
Finland will be represented by President Alexander Stubb at a high-level meeting in Paris today, where leaders of a coalition of nations supporting Ukraine will gather to discuss strengthening the country’s air defence. The meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to draw at least 25 heads of state, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Yle).
In the evening, Stubb and his spouse, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, will attend a dinner at the Élysée Palace in honour of France’s National Day, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 (Yle).
Finnish Defence Forces join National Day parade
Finland will also participate in France’s National Day military parade on Tuesday, held on the Champs-Élysées in central Paris. The Finnish Defence Forces will send a swallow-tailed state flag, a flag guard, and a 12-soldier detachment provided by the Guard Jaeger Regiment. The unit consists of conscripts and personnel (Ilta-Sanomat).
This year’s parade, themed "Europe’s Strategic Awakening," will feature over 6,500 soldiers, 315 vehicles, 98 aircraft, 33 helicopters, and nearly 200 horses. Finland last participated in the parade in 2025 and 2019 (Ilta-Sanomat).
President Stubb will observe the parade before attending the evening dinner hosted by Macron. The National Day celebrations mark a key moment in French history, symbolising the beginning of the French Revolution (Ilta-Sanomat).
