'We 'can no longer finance' Ukraine': Le Pen vows to halt all aid within six months if she wins French presidency
Marine Le Pen, pictured with Rassemblement National leader Jordan Bardella, has pledged to halt France's bilateral financial support for Ukraine within six months of taking office, telling reporters France "can no…Irish Guards outside 10 Downing Street. Volodymyr Zelensky hit back at Le Pen's pledge, arguing France's defence industry "only wins" from the Ukraine cooperation.
Marine Le Pen has pledged to cut all French financial aid to Ukraine within six months of winning next year's presidential election, warning that France is "on the verge of defaulting" on its public debt and can no longer afford it. The National Rally leader, who is leading polls ahead of the April vote with more than 30 per cent support, told reporters in Brussels the EU should frankly tell Zelensky it "can't manage" any more. Zelensky hit back directly, telling reporters that Le Pen is "not deeply acquainted with some details" of the defence partnership.
Le Pen said a six-month transition period after her election would avoid "backing anyone into a corner" immediately, but insisted France would then stop entirely.
Zelensky argued France's defence industry "only wins" from the cooperation, citing joint improvements to the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system deployed in Ukraine.
The EU is set to loan Ukraine €45 billion in 2027, but estimates suggest Kyiv may need around €70 billion more than that package provides.
