President Volodymyr Zelensky is convinced that the new French government which will emerge from the legislative elections will maintain its support for Ukraine in the face of Russia, he declared, Thursday June 27, in an exclusive comment to AFP.
These comments come at a time when the elections scheduled for June 30 and July 7 in France could bring to power the National Rally (RN), regularly criticized for its proximity to the regime of Vladimir Putin.
“We believe that the French will continue to support Ukraine whatever the political situation,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in a written comment to AFP. “Similarly, by the will of the French people, the next government will continue to fully support Ukraine both on the battlefield” and in its accession to the EU, he continued.
“Independent of the Russian aggressor”
While congratulating France for its “unwavering solidarity” with his country from the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the Ukrainian president expressed confidence that the new French government would maintain its independence from Russia and would remain faithful to European values. “We are convinced that the next government will be independent of the Russian aggressor and will remain committed to European values and a strong and united Europe, the very Europe that Ukraine defends against Russian tyranny,” he added. .
At the end of the legislative elections, President Emmanuel Macron, a supporter of Volodymyr Zelensky, risks finding himself cohabiting with a far-right Prime Minister, who could review the extent of military aid provided to kyiv.
After posing as a mediator between kyiv and Moscow at the start of the war and in particular calling not to “humiliate” Russia, President Macron transformed himself into a key supporter of Ukraine in Europe, pushing for other States, in particular Germany, to strengthen their support.
In February, Emmanuel Macron opened the debate on sending Western soldiers to Ukraine, refusing to exclude this option. This idea was freshly received within the European powers but certain allies – Czech Republic, Poland, Baltic States in particular – approved it. National Rally President Jordan Bardella, who could become the next French Prime Minister, is opposed to sending French troops to Ukraine as well as the delivery of “long-range missiles” allowing the Ukrainian army to strike Russian territory.