Marine Le Pen stated that, due to budgetary difficulties, France is unable to maintain the current level of financial support for Ukraine. The representative of the far-right «National Rally» party did, however, leave open the possibility of continuing to train Ukrainian military personnel and supplying defence equipment. Her comments reflect the position of an opposition politician, whilst President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed Paris’s commitment to supporting Kyiv.
Briefly about the main points
- Le Pen linked the restrictions on aid to Ukraine to the state of France’s budget.
- It allows for the training of Ukrainian military personnel and the transfer of equipment.
- The politician’s statement does not constitute a decision by the French Government.
- Macron described support for Kyiv as an integral part of France’s and Europe’s security.
- Le Pen plans to stand in the 2027 presidential election.
Le Pen has drawn a distinction between financial and military support
The politician made the statement on 16 September during a broadcast on LCI, according to Le Monde. She said that the previous levels of financial aid to Ukraine were no longer in line with France’s capabilities due to the deterioration in public finances. «But financially, we can no longer cope,» she is quoted as saying Le Pen NV, citing Le Figaro.
At the same time Le Pen She denied that her approach amounted to hostility towards Ukraine. She believes it is possible to continue training Ukrainian military personnel and to supply them with equipment for defence.
The argument regarding budgetary constraints has a macroeconomic backdrop: according to INSEE, France’s general government deficit in 2025 stood at 5.1% of GDP, whilst public debt stood at 115.6% of GDP. At the same time, these figures do not imply that a reduction in aid to Ukraine is an inevitable consequence or a deliberate policy choice on the part of the authorities.
Macron has reaffirmed Paris’s official stance in support of Kyiv
Le Pen’s comments do not alter France’s government policy. 18 September Macron stated that Russia is stepping up hybrid attacks against European countries, in an attempt to undermine their willingness to help Kyiv.
The President emphasised that such actions would not intimidate France, and linked support for Ukraine to the security of France itself and of Europe. The French Ministry of Defence has also announced its intention to deepen cooperation with Ukraine, particularly in the areas of drones, defence innovation and support for veterans.
The statement was made in the run-up to the 2027 presidential election
Le Pen has announced her intention to stand in the 2027 presidential election. Her rivals are increasingly critical of the «National Rally’s» foreign policy views, in particular the party’s stance on Russia and Ukraine.
Le Monde reports that opinion polls show significant support for Le Pen, but they do not determine the outcome of the forthcoming vote. The issue of aid to Ukraine has already become part of the domestic political debate in France.
