PARIS (AP) — Unusual spray-painted images and messages referring to Ukraine appeared on the streets of Paris Friday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Joe Biden in the French capital.
It is unclear who sprayed the graffiti that has appeared on several buildings in central Paris, near the parliament complex and several ministries. Some depicted coffins with stenciled signs in French reading “A French soldier in Ukraine.” Others include a sign that reads “Give the elections back to the Ukrainians” in Ukrainian.
It was the latest in a number of strange incidents in recent months to worry French authorities as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games in 50 days.
Three people were arrested and released on Monday after allegedly placing five coffins at the base of the Eiffel Tower, a Paris landmark that will feature prominently in the upcoming Games.
Last month, red-handed graffiti appeared on the Holocaust memorial in Paris.
And in October, shortly after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, stencils of blue Stars of David appeared on buildings in Paris. French authorities accused Russian security services of fueling the controversy surrounding the stars.
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said both incidents involved people paid to destabilize and drive wedges into French society.
The Russian embassy in Paris denied any Russian involvement.
