French President Emmanuel Macron intends to skip the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan.
Idman.Biz, citing Radio 1, reports that the reason is his desire to avoid meeting with US Vice President Jay Dee Vance. The French leader also has strained relations with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Currently, Jay Dee Vance has already arrived in Milan. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and a high-ranking representative of China are also expected among the guests.
The source notes that Macron's decision is not the first such case. For example, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also refused to attend the ceremony due to the participation of the Israeli delegation.
Note that the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will take place today at 23:26 Baku time.