As the world continues to navigate political turbulence, two of its leaders, President Joe Biden of the United States and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, are taking their diplomatic roadshow to Normandy, France. Their meeting will kick off next week’s G7 summit festivities—because, let's face it, summit meetings are the new rock concerts of the political elite.

The timing of their rendezvous is more than a bit symbolic, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of D-Day. This historical note is bound to add a touch of gravitas and maybe a bit of déjà vu because, after all, the world can never have too many reminders of its past conflicts just as it deals with current ones—like, say, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

During their tête-à-tête in Paris, Biden is expected to pull out his checkbook and announce a cool $225 million weapons package for Ukraine. Just what every visiting head of state hopes for: weapons as souvenirs. France, not wanting to miss out on the gifting spirit, will offer its Mirage combat aircraft and train a brigade of Ukrainian soldiers. Normandy might just turn into the venue for the ultimate military giveaway show.

In case anyone hasn’t noticed, tensions between Kyiv’s allies and Moscow have reached a fever pitch, thanks to the West's generous policies of allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russian borders. Because why limit holiday presents to just one side? Of course, this prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to issue a thinly veiled threat about deploying arms to countries that can strike the West. Because what's a world summit without a little saber-rattling?

At the Normandy anniversary event, only the solemn recall of past sacrifices was replaced by Biden drawing parallels between D-Day and Ukraine’s current gritty stand against Russia. Not one to mince words, he branded Putin as a “tyrant bent on domination,” clearly borrowing a page from the World War II playbook. Perhaps someone should tell him dramatic re-enactments are best left to the History Channel.

The Biden-Zelensky faceoff in Normandy follows their last meeting in December 2023. Back then, Zelensky made the pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., to put in a good word—and ask, no beg, for more military and economic aid. Because in international diplomacy, there’s no such thing as being too forward or too frequent with your appeals for help.

For his part, Biden has been generous, signing a bill in April that provides over $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. After several months of political wrangling—Washington’s version of tough love—all this to ensure the provision of a substantial allowance for Kyiv amid waves of geopolitical tension.

Yet, despite the loosening of restrictions on Western weapons, Zelensky still claims this is like trying to extinguish a forest fire with a garden hose. He insists that his country needs more support, a refrain as constant as it is urgent (NBC News.

As Biden and Zelensky prepare to gallivant across the Norman beaches for some geopolitical hobnobbing, one thing’s for sure: diplomacy is never out of season. With big promises, bigger threats, and the historical setting of Normandy as their backdrop, the summit holds all the potential of an international blockbuster. Who needs concerts when you have world leaders striking deals and posing for cameras? Tune in next week; popcorn optional.

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