Democracy most vulnerable since WWII warns Joe Biden, confirms arms support for Ukraine

At an American commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Joe Biden confirms US weapons can be used inside Russia, but not targeting the Kremlin or Moscow.

United States president Joe Biden warned democracy was more at risk across the world than at any point since World War II.

At an American commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings which eventually liberated France and brought about the end of Nazi tyranny, Mr Biden appeared to criticise some policies of his political opponent Donald Trump and also hit out at Russia’s aggression, saying the Americans “will not walk away” from supporting Ukraine.

Speaking at the Colleville-sur-mer ceremony on Thursday, Mr Biden said: “We’re living at a time when democracy is more at risk across the world than any point since the end of World War Two.

“We must remember the fact that they were heroes that day does not absolve us from all we have to do today. Democracy is not guaranteed. Every generation must preserve, defend it and fight for the success of the ages. memory of those who fought here, die here literally saved the world here.”

He added: “Let us be the generation when history is written about our time. 10, 20, 30, 50, 80 years from now, it will be said when the call came. We met the moment we stood strong our allies made stronger. We saved democracy in our times.”

Douglas C-47 aircraft fly over as Joe Biden, Jill Biden, France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte walk past flag-bearers during the US ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Picture: AFP.

Later Mr Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron welcomed royalty, world leaders and diplomats, including Australia’s representative, governor-general David Hurley and his wife Linda to Omaha Beach for an international service.

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, attended this red carpet commemoration in his trademark dressed down look. But the heroes of the events were around 200 WWII strident veterans who attended in wheelchairs and with sticks, often leaning on some world leaders and their spouses for support.

Before the international service began Mr Biden had spoken to American news channel ABC and clarified Ukraine’s authorisation to use American weaponry on Russian soil.

A military family walks on Arromanches-les-bains in Normandy as dawn breaks on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay.

Military veterans and their WWII jeep wait for a landing craft at dawn on Arromanches-les-bains. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

He told the network that US weapons are authorised to be used “in proximity to the border when they’re being used on the other side of the border to attack specific targets in Ukraine”.

Mr Biden added: “We’re not authorising strikes 200 miles into Russia and we’re not authorising strikes on Moscow, on the Kremlin.’’

Mr Biden’s Colleville-sur-mer speech was the closest any of the allied leaders have come to a political statement over the past two days of the commemoration of the wartime veterans.

The president warned about the spread of isolationism and the need to stay strong and support Ukraine.

“Make no mistake autocrats in the world are watching closely to see what happens in Ukraine to see if we let this illegal aggression go unchecked,’’ he said.

“ We cannot let that to happen, to surrender to bullies. Bowing down to dictators is simply unthinkable.

“We will not forget. Let me end with this, History tells us freedom is not free. You want to know the price of freedom come here to Normandy, go to the other cemeteries in Europe. Where our fallen heroes rest.”

Military personnel walk on Arromanches-les-bains in Normandy as dawn breaks on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

The series of commemorations honoured Australia’s D-Day role at “warm-up’’ at the international event.

The months encompassing the Normandy operations, represent the peak in RAAF casualties for the entire war, Australian war historian Dr Lachlan Grant has reported.

He said that according to Commonwealth War Graves records, during the period of the Normandy campaign 1117 Australians were killed and buried in cemeteries or listed on memorials across western Europe and Britain.