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.

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".

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

"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.

Ms. 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.

In an introductory remark, the President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet, on her return from Ukraine where she met President Volodymyr Zelensky, insisted on "the unfailing support of the French National Assembly for Ukraine and to his people".

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Present in the stands of the hemicycle, adorned with Ukrainian flags, Ambassador Vadym Omelchenko was applauded for a long time by the deputies, standing.

The head of diplomacy Catherine Colonna must intervene during this debate without a vote, organized under article 50-1 of the Constitution.

It will take place in the Senate on October 26.

In the Assembly, the majority is preparing to challenge the RN which it accuses of "dependence" on Russia, as well as LFI for the positions of Jean-Luc Mélenchon on NATO "aggressor", before the February 24 Russian invasion.

The National Rally and LFI then opposed the delivery of offensive weapons to Ukraine, believing that it would make France a "co-belligerent".

"Foreign Funding"

The RN continues to claim this position despite the counter-offensive led by Ukraine on the ground.

And he criticizes the impact of the sanctions against Russia for the purchasing power of the French.

France is considering new deliveries of military equipment to Ukraine, in particular 6 to 12 Caesar guns taken from an order intended for Denmark.

Paris has already delivered 18 examples of this 155 mm gun mounted on a truck, amputating nearly a quarter of the French Army fleet.

At the heart of the controversy with the RN also, the loan of 9 million euros contracted in 2014 by the far-right party with a Russian firm, Aviazapchast, led by former soldiers, still being reimbursed.

The RN blames the French banks to whom he blames their refusal to lend him money at the time.

RN and the majority compete in requests for a commission of inquiry into "foreign party funding", without however using their parliamentary "drawing rights" for these commissions to automatically take shape.

In opposition, LR hammered home his refusal "to recognize illegal annexations".

The president of the PS group Boris Vallaud defends him in a motion for a resolution "the full sovereignty of the borders of Ukraine recognized in 1991" (with Crimea and the Donbass) and calls for increasing French military aid and the reception of Ukrainian refugees.

LFI leader Mathilde Panot is expected to conclude the speeches by "condemning Russian aggression" and stressing that the economic situation in France cannot be "entirely blamed on the war".

© 2022 AFP