Under boos, the leader of rebellious France, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, said he regretted, on Tuesday March 1 in the National Assembly, the decision of the European Union to supply arms to Ukraine to defend itself against the Russia.
"Let us beware of improvised solutions (...). The means we employ must never turn against us. However, I regret that the European Union has decided to supply the armaments necessary for a war, according to the terms of the Commissioner Josep Borrell (the head of European diplomacy, editor's note)", declared Jean-Luc Mélenchon before the deputies gathered in a special session to discuss the war in Ukraine.
"This decision would make us co-belligerents. A gear is engaged, with what legitimacy? When did our Parliament decide it?", he wondered again under the jeers of parliamentarians.
"Directing these weapons from Poland, land of NATO, is this not putting oneself at the mercy of all parties to the conflict?" he said.
"The Russian people are not our enemy"
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who is a candidate for the presidential election, also expressed concern about the decision to exclude Russia from the Swift financial transaction system, again causing a stir in the hemicycle.
"The Russian people are not our enemy, let's not confuse it with the nationalist regime" of Vladimir Putin, he said.
"Whatever the causes of the invasion of Ukraine, nothing can excuse it or relativize it," said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, pleading for the "neutrality" of Ukraine and a diplomatic solution through negotiations under the aegis of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Previously, Prime Minister Jean Castex, in a speech before Parliament, had denounced a Russian "act of war" against Ukraine and a "cynical and premeditated aggression" that "France condemns in the most absolute way".
With AFP
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app
google-play-badge_FR