Joe Biden has marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day by saying “we will not walk away” from the defence of Ukraine and allow Russia to threaten more of Europe.
“To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators, is simply unthinkable,” the US president said during a ceremony at the US cemetery in Normandy.
“If we were to do that, it means we’d be forgetting what happened here on these hallowed beaches.”
His comment was a reminder that US commitments around the globe hang in the balance in this year’s White House election. Former president Donald Trump, Mr Biden’s likely opponent, has said he would not defend European allies that are “delinquent” in their own defence spending.
Mr Trump has expressed little enthusiasm for Ukraine’s defence, criticising the “endless flow of American treasure” and voicing admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr Trump shared his own D-Day anniversary message on social media, praising US soldiers as “immortal heroes”. He was silent on the country’s alliances.
Mr Biden, who is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Friday, hopes new deliveries of US munitions after months of delay can help stem Russian advances on the battlefield.
Speaking about the US troops who stormed Normandy’s beaches on June 6 1944, Mr Biden said “let us be worthy of their sacrifice”.
“We must remember that the fact that they were heroes here that day does not absolve us of what we have to do today. Democracy is never guaranteed. Every generation must preserve it, defend it and fight for it. That’s the test of the ages.”
He awarded the Legion of Honour to several of them and kissed them on each cheek as he pinned on their medals. Mr Biden followed with handshakes and embraces.
Mr Biden and first lady Jill Biden earlier met more than two dozen US veterans near Omaha Beach, where the fiercest D-Day fighting took place.
Those who could stand were helped out of wheelchairs to pose for photos. Most shook hands with Mr Biden or saluted.
The president told a veteran that “you saved the world”, and led the audience in singing happy birthday to another. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the Hollywood heavyweights behind movies and television shows about the Second World War, were nearby.
When Army veteran Robert Gibson approached, the first lady clutched his arm to help him stand next to the president as they shook hands.
This anniversary of the invasion is a particularly sombre one because it will be among the last with living veterans – the youngest survivors are in their late 90s.
Mr Biden met one veteran who is 104.
In an interview with the Associated Press a few days ago, Mr Gibson described himself as “living on borrowed time”.
He was part of the second wave of troops that landed on Utah Beach. He said he expected this year would be the last anniversary ceremony he could attend, but he was pleased to be back one more time.
“I want to see the beach again,” he said.
