‘We give back’: Zelenskyy replies to Le Pen’s pledge to cut aid
The Ukrainian president argues that France and Europe are benefiting from Ukraine's battlefield experience.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen's promise to reduce financial aid to Ukraine, stating that Europe is benefiting from Ukraine's efforts. In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskyy said, "Ukraine will give back security. It's security and experience, the price is not so high as people's lives, that's why I think that Madame Le Pen is not deeply acquainted with some details." He added, "We give back and this is very important."
Le Pen has previously stated that she would cease financial aid to Ukraine if elected as French president, although she suggested that France could continue to provide military training and non-financial assistance. Currently leading the polls, Le Pen is a candidate for the National Rally party. Zelenskyy emphasized that European armed forces and defense industries, such as France's, are benefiting from Ukraine's battlefield experience, saying, "It's win-win."
Furthermore, Zelenskyy argued that Le Pen should continue supporting Ukraine because it is improving the efficiency of the Franco-Italian air defense system SAMP/T, which is currently deployed in Ukraine. He noted, "We made a lot of different changes together with French guys, because they saw how it worked and how it works now." "The French industry only wins with these technologies, cooperation, co-production," Zelenskyy concluded. He also joked, "I will not vote for her … because I'm Ukrainian."
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