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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has accused far-right leader Marine Le Pen and left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon of “systematically” echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric on the war in Ukraine.
“For a long time, Jean-Luc Melenchon and Marine Le Pen have chosen their side. And their side is not Ukraine’s,” Barrot said on the political programme Franc-jeu, broadcast on France 2, France Inter and france.tv, according to the source.
He accused the two politicians of showing “complacency” towards Putin and “distrust” of the European Union.
Barrot challenges Melenchon’s comments
At a news conference on Sept. 23 related to his presidential campaign, Melenchon said Europe should “perhaps ask” whether an escalation of the Russian threat was connected to Ukraine’s long-range strikes. He also stated that “Russia is the invader of Ukraine.”
Barrot accused the founder of the left-wing France Unbowed party of reversing the facts and rewriting the history of the war.
“Ukrainian resistance is a struggle for independence, for freedom,” the foreign minister said, comparing it with the French Resistance during the German occupation.
“Should we have held back our blows? Should the Free French Forces and the internal Resistance have shown restraint in defending our country’s territorial integrity?” he asked.
Le Pen opposes further financial aid
Le Pen, who leads the far-right National Rally, questioned the continuation of French financial support for Kyiv during a debate hosted by Politico.
“We can continue to train their soldiers, we can train their military leadership, and we can provide material assistance, particularly military equipment. We can no longer provide financial assistance to Ukraine,” she said.
“Jean-Luc Melenchon took off the gloves to hit the Ukrainians in the face. Marine Le Pen kept hers on, but fundamentally, it is the same message,” Barrot said.
