Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally, and her deputy Jordan Bardella said Russia had engaged in hostile actions and described foreign pressure on French policy as unacceptable. They also stressed that no provocation would force Paris to help Russia achieve its military objectives in Ukraine.
In a joint statement, Le Pen and Bardella expressed their “strongest solidarity” with European allies that, they said, had been targeted by “hostile actions” or destabilisation campaigns.
“We will never tolerate a foreign state, in this case Russia, hoping to directly or indirectly dictate our country’s policy through intimidation, threats, destabilisation or psychological pressure.”
Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, joint statement
The politicians cited several examples of what they described as Russia’s unlawful actions. These included the effective confiscation on September 17 of the assets of Auchan, Nestlé and Leroy Merlin. The Kremlin-linked Interfax reported this, citing the relevant decree.
The statement also mentioned the drone incident at Germany’s Leipzig airport, for which Germany blamed Moscow, as well as Poland’s statements about the risk of escalation against states supporting Ukraine.
Debate over Ukraine and elections in France
Le Pen and Bardella said that in France, particularly ahead of elections, it is possible to discuss the appropriateness of supporting Ukraine or diplomatic ways to end the war. At the same time, they described foreign pressure as unlawful.
France is due to hold presidential elections next spring, after which a change of government is expected. The original material notes that support for the far right is growing in the country, and that a potential victory by Le Pen could affect military aid to Ukraine, sanctions and its European integration.
