French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has vowed to be “vigilant” in the face of any Russian threats and stated that his party would not send troops into Ukraine if it wins snap elections. He laid out his program, emphasizing a continued commitment to providing “logistical support and defense equipment” to Ukraine. However, Bardella adamantly opposed sending French troops or long-range missiles to the war-torn country, calling these actions “very clear red lines.” He argued that such moves would create “conditions for French interference and escalation in the face of a nuclear power.”
This declaration comes as France has been a leading Western supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. President Emmanuel Macron, in February, raised eyebrows among European partners by stating that he wouldn’t rule out deploying troops to Ukraine, a move rejected by Germany and many other allies.
Bardella, while warning against a confrontation with Russia, stated that his party would be “extremely vigilant” in the face of Russian attempts to influence France’s affairs. “I see Russia as a multidimensional threat to both France and Europe,” he asserted. He accused Moscow of challenging French interests “in our historical spheres of influence in Africa, the Black Sea and also in our overseas territories”.
Opponents have long pointed to the close ties the National Rally (NR), Bardella’s party, has held with the Kremlin in the past. They also highlight a substantial loan the NR’s previous incarnation, the National Front, received from a Russian bank in 2014, which has since been repaid.
As the war enters its third year, Ukraine faces a daunting task repelling Russian advances and desperately requires increased Western military aid. Macron, in early June, expressed his desire to finalize a coalition of military instructors to train Ukrainian troops and criticized what he termed a “camp of pacifists” regarding Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
