Portrait of Marine Le Pen
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Marine Le Pen on Vladimir Putin

Evolving Russia Stance (strong) Position evolved

Marine Le Pen has historically maintained a favorable relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia, characterized by supportive comments and a desire for closer cooperation between France and Moscow.

This relationship included financial ties, such as her party borrowing a significant loan from a Russian bank in 2014, and personal meetings, including one with Putin before the 2017 French presidential election.

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Le Pen strongly condemned the war, stating Russia crossed a "red line," but she continues to express a hope that Russia could become "an ally of France again" once the conflict ends. She also criticized President Emmanuel Macron's approach to the war, suggesting his statements about potential Western troops in Ukraine reassured Putin.

Context

The relationship between Marine Le Pen and Vladimir Putin is a significant factor in French politics, particularly concerning foreign policy and national security. Le Pen's past affinity for the Kremlin and Russia's leadership is often used by rivals to question her judgment and commitment to Western alliances.

Her party's previous reliance on Russian financing for campaigns further fuels scrutiny over her policy positions regarding Russia and its role on the European continent.

Timeline

  1. Le Pen's party, then the National Front, controversially borrowed €9 million from the First Czech-Russian bank in Moscow, following Russia's annexation of Crimea.
  2. Le Pen met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow a month before the presidential election. She stated her views on Ukraine coincided with Putin's and controversially claimed that Crimea had "never been Ukrainian."
  3. Following the invasion of Ukraine, Le Pen stated that the Russian President had crossed a "red line" and condemned the attack as a violation of international law.
  4. Le Pen reiterated her condemnation, stating that if Russia won, it would be catastrophic, but also warned that a Ukrainian victory could mean World War III had been unleashed.
  5. Le Pen strongly criticized Russia's actions in Parliament, calling the invasion "the most dramatic" geopolitical crisis in twenty years and asserting that the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people led to Russia's defeat.

Key Quotes

"The Vladimir Putin of five years ago is not exactly that of today," adding that he had "crossed a red line" in attacking Ukraine.

French media interview March 1, 2022 — Explaining her shift in view following the 2022 invasion.

"We owe respect and support to the Ukrainian nation that has suffered aggression... It is thanks to the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people that Russia has suffered a defeat."

French Parliament Debate March 12, 2024 — Stating France's current support and assessment of the war's progress.

Russia could become "an ally of France again" if it ends the war.

Official statement/interview January 1, 2022 — Stating her long-term vision for French-Russian relations post-conflict.

"I would like to energize an alliance between the U.S., France and Russia in the fight against Islamists, which is a gigantic menace to our respective democracies."

Meeting with British and U.S. journalists January 1, 2017 — Outlining her foreign policy vision prior to the 2017 election.

Criticism

Political Analysts/Experts

Experts warned that Le Pen's enduring ties to Putin could lower her chances of winning the French presidency, leading her to actively distance herself after 2022.

Emmanuel Macron (President)

Macron's opponents, including Le Pen, criticized his public debate about sending Western troops to Ukraine, with Le Pen suggesting it reassured Vladimir Putin.