Europe 1 with AFP 5:39 p.m., October 3, 2022, modified at 5:41 p.m., October 3, 2022

France intends to "make the cost of the war unbearable for Russia", which invaded Ukraine in February, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Monday as she opened a debate on the war in Ukraine in the French National Assembly.

"It was Russia that launched this war. It is Russia that pushes us to act," she recalled.

Delivery of arms, energy prices ...: the National Assembly resumed its work in the hemicycle on Monday with a debate on the war in Ukraine and its consequences for France, with a call from Elisabeth Borne to "continue the sanctions" to "make the cost of the war unbearable for Russia".

The Prime Minister launched the discussion by praising the "heroism" of the Ukrainians who are "progressing" in the face of Russia, which is "trenching itself in cynicism, threat and blackmail", after Moscow's demand for the annexation of four regions, strongly condemned by kyiv and the West.

Putin "attacks our democratic model", denounces Borne

"We are determined that the crimes committed by Russia be documented, tried and punished," she insisted, attacking Vladimir Putin several times, who "attacks our democratic model".

Without naming the National Rally, the head of government pointed to "simplism" and "talk from the podium": the sanctions against Russia "work", she stressed, "no offense to those who hide their fascination for Russian imperialism through so-called patriotism".

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“Our goal has been the same from the start: to make the cost of war unbearable for Russia,” she insisted.

"We are extremely concerned about the situation" of the nuclear power plant "in Zaporijjia" with a "Russian military occupation" which "runs reckless risks", also underlined the head of government.

Elisabeth Borne also announced the organization "in the coming months" in Paris of an economic conference on Ukraine, in order to "mobilize French companies" in the reconstruction of the country.