ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Thursday that the “specter of war” had returned in Europe during his speech at a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Citing Russia’s war in Ukraine, he noted that the idea of perpetual peace in Europe after World War II had been illusory.

He said that in recent years, Europeans have seen “the specter of war return, a resurgence of imperialism and totalitarian behavior that have trampled on the rights of nations once again.”

“We will never be done fighting for victory and defending peace. If some thought otherwise, the past few years have reminded us. We will never be done asserting our country’s place, defending our independence and our freedom,” he added.

France commemorated the 80th anniversary of VE Day with Macron presiding over the ceremony on the Champs-Elysees.

The president walked up the Champs-Elysees accompanied by an escort of the Republican Guard to preside over the ceremony under the Arc de Triomphe.

Celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany's unconditional surrender during World War II on May 8, 1945, Macron delivered a speech, where he also paid tribute to the combatants and stressed the Franco-German reconciliation, with the two parties being “united.”