Several presidential candidates have called for firmness after Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision on Monday (February 21st) to recognize the independence of the pro-Russian separatist regions of Ukraine.
For socialist Anne Hidalgo, "Vladimir Putin's unilateral decision constitutes a violation of international law and the sovereignty of Ukraine".
"France and Europe must stand together, united and firm in the face of this threat to peace in Europe," she said on Twitter.
Vladimir Putin's unilateral decision constitutes a violation of international law and of Ukraine's sovereignty.
France and Europe must show solidarity, united and firm in the face of this threat to peace in Europe.
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) February 21, 2022
"The recognition of separatist entities by Putin undermines the territorial integrity and democracy of Ukraine. No complacency! I call for a firm and united French and European response", reacted the ecologist Yannick Jadot on the same social network.
The entry of the Russian army into the territory of Ukraine is a serious violation of law and a threat to https://t.co/PT7ZmvHOdH Europeans.
Sanctions must be taken against those responsible, they can be taken on their assets and real estate in Europe.
— Yannick Jadot (@yjadot) February 21, 2022
For Jean-Luc Mélenchon, "a line has been crossed" and "whatever one thinks of the ulterior motives or the logic of the situation, the fact remains that it is indeed Russia which has taken responsibility for this episode".
In a long press release, the LFI candidate evokes "Macron's heartbreaking record in this episode" and asks that the Prime Minister explain himself "in the coming hours" before the National Assembly.
Statement on the situation in #Ukraine.
➡️ https://t.co/gBIJXbRkff#Russia #Putin #USA #NATO pic.twitter.com/FW8gHKReo8
— Jean-Luc Melenchon (@JLMelenchon) February 21, 2022
Communist Fabien Roussel castigated in a tweet "an extremely serious and dangerous decision", affirming that "everything must be done to defuse this war which threatens at the gates of Europe".
The recognition of the independence of the two separatist republics of Ukraine by the Russian President is an extremely serious and dangerous decision!
Everything must be done to defuse this war which threatens the gates of Europe!
– Fabien Roussel (@Fabien_Roussel) February 21, 2022
For Christiane Taubira, also speaking on Twitter, "Russia chooses force and a fait accompli. (...) The solidarity of European states with Ukraine must not fail. Even if diplomacy must continue to work".
Éric Zemmour against the tide
The candidate Les Républicains, Valérie Pécresse, estimated Tuesday morning, on France Inter, that it was necessary "to condemn firmly, resolutely, which is a violation of international law, the violation and the abandonment of the Minsk agreements".
“The European Union must agree on economic sanctions targeted at Russia to roll back the offensive”, she added, before reproaching President Macron for having “staged " in a "solitary" and too "late" dialogue with Vladimir Putin.
I strongly condemn this violation of international law.
We cannot blame the President of the Republic for having tried to dialogue with Putin, but this dialogue was too late and solitary.
It is time for the EU to define a strategy for peace in Europe.
pic.twitter.com/t3tsEM3fQf
— Valérie Pécresse (@vpecresse) February 22, 2022
The candidate of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen, for her part judged that Vladimir Putin's decision was "an eminently regrettable act", but that "everything must be done to find the path of dialogue in order to ensure peace in Europe. ".
Everything must be done to return to the path of dialogue in order to ensure peace in Europe.
#UkraineRussiaCrisis
Find my press release on the situation in #Ukraine ⤵️https://t.co/2xPLMthbRp
– Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) February 21, 2022
"From now on, the solution probably involves the organization of a conference bringing together the United States, Russia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom as well as Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, States borders of Ukraine", estimated the candidate of the National Rally in a press release.
Calling to avoid "absolutely a new war", the other far-right candidate, Éric Zemmour, already believes that the future sanctions that the United States and the EU will take will be "ineffective" and will go "to against our economic interests.
He thus proposes "a treaty consecrating the end of the expansion of NATO".
My position on the situation in Ukraine.
pic.twitter.com/JbJlt2bkuE
— Eric Zemmour (@ZemmourEric) February 21, 2022
Emmanuel Macron, who has stepped up talks in recent days to avoid war in Ukraine, condemned the Russian president's decision and called for "targeted European sanctions" against Moscow, according to a statement from the Elysee.
With AFP
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