Russia cannot sway French through ‘intimidation’, says Le Pen
The Kremlin this week ordered the seizure of Russian subsidiaries of several big French businesses, along with the subsidiary of Swiss food giant Nestle.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has stated that Russia cannot sway French policies through intimidation, as she prepares for next year’s presidential election. Speaking alongside Jordan Bardella, her party’s chief, Le Pen condemned Russia’s hostile actions against France. Despite an appeals court upholding a corruption conviction against her, voter polls currently have Le Pen leading the first round of France’s presidential election in April.
Their joint statement, distancing themselves from Moscow, came after the Kremlin ordered the seizure of Russian subsidiaries of several major French businesses, including Nestle. French President Emmanuel Macron, ineligible to run due to term limits, hosted a meeting of French leaders to discuss the threat from Moscow, but Le Pen did not attend.
Critics accuse Le Pen of cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, having previously taken a €9.4 million loan from a Moscow bank, which was repaid in 2023. However, she later denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In her statement, Le Pen and Bardella affirmed that Russia cannot directly or indirectly dictate France’s policies through intimidation, threats, destabilization, or psychological pressure.
They emphasized that no provocation, covert operation, or destabilization will force France to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
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- Russia cannot sway French through ‘intimidation’, says Le Pen freemalaysiatoday.com
