By Enrique Rubio Colleville sur Mer (France), Jun 6 (EFE).- On the same coast of Normandy which 75 years ago was trampled by 130,000 soldiers to defeat Nazi Germany, the leaders of the countries that took part in the battle tried on Thursday to revive their alliance. Beaches such as Omaha, Juno or Utah have passed to the collective imagination as scenes in the struggle for freedom. They welcomed the leaders of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and France, with a notable absence, that of Russia. It was unclear why Vladimir Putin was not invited to the international ceremony on Wednesday in the UK or on Thursday to France. But there was an underlying feeling that the West has tried to close ranks at a time of growing tensions, especially because of Brexit and the controversial presidency of Donald Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel did participate in the British ceremony in Portsmouth on Wednesday. In the absence of current references in their international relationships, the commemorations focused on the veterans of the landing. It is possible that this was the last anniversary for many, so there was a desire to put the focus on them and not miss the final opportunity. Also because the veterans symbolize another era, that of a world united for freedom and democracy. The commemorations opened early, at 08.30 (06.30 GMT) on a crystal clear and radiant day that contrasted with the sorrow in the atmosphere. French president Emmanuel Macron and British prime minister Theresa May placed the first stone on a memorial in the French region Ver-sur-Mer to remember the fallen from the UK. It was likely to be May’s last international appearance before she resigns as UK leader on Friday. May, who served as hostess, gave a historical account in her speech and highlighted the courage of the fighters, who arrived on the beaches of Normandy without knowing if they would survive. "No soldier, no pilot, no sailor knew if he would remain alive when the sun went down," she said. With Brexit just around the corner, Macron alluded to the departure of the UK from the European Union, insisting that the alliance with Britain will continue despite everything. "The debates of the present do not take anything away from our shared past and our common future," he said. He added that "the strength of our relationship surpasses the vicissitudes of the moment, we can be proud of the results obtained." A similar message was heard three hours later, in Colleville sur Mer, a few meters from Omaha Beach, which houses the Normandy American Cemetery: 9,386 tombs with crosses and stars of David where many unknown soldiers rest. There US president Donald Trump paid tribute to the fallen fighters from his country with an address that in many ways was a counterpoint to Macron. Where the Frenchman resorted to grandiose and the polished phrases, Trump referenced the individual stories of some of the 160 veterans who were present. Where Macron extolled multilateralism and the need for "free peoples to unite to face all their challenges", Trump sang the virtues of his country and its transcendental role so that Europe would not continue under the Nazi yoke. "The United States is never bigger than when it battles for the freedom of others," the Frenchman said. "We are a noble country with a virtuous people and today we are stronger than ever," Trump replied. Despite everything, both agreed to underline the "indestructible ties" - in Trump's words - that unite the two nations and praised the courage of the soldiers who participated in the Normandy landings, whom Macron said: " France does not forget." The commemorations were completed with other national tributes in several locations in the area by the other countries that were involved in D-Day, such as Denmark, Holland, Norway and Canada. There was also an international ceremony in Courseulles sur Mer led by French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe. EFE er/rb/ch -- EPA-EFE Multimedia Desk, Madrid +34 913 467 493