Putin to attend D-Day ceremony in France

PARIS, May 8 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from France to attend ceremonies in Normandy honoring the D-Day invasion of World War II.

Alexander Orlov, the Russian ambassador to France, announced on television Thursday Putin will visit Normandy to attend the June 6 commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the war's turning point, at the invitation of the French government.

The development comes at a time when Russia and Western powers are at odds over Russia's involvement in Ukraine. The United States and the European Union have imposed economic sanctions, and have condemned Russia's annexation of Crimea and apparent involvement in a separatist movement in Ukraine.

"We may have differences with Vladimir Putin but I have not forgotten, and never will forget, that the Russian people gave millions of lives (during the war)," French President Francois Hollande said in a television interview.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II are expected to attend the ceremonies as well, but the White House said there are no plans for Putin and Obama to meet.