France’s far-right leader says Ukraine should pay for European aid

Jordan Bardella, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally, wants Paris to replace unconditional support for Ukraine with a relationship that brings France something in return.

Speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, Italy, Bardella pointed to France’s public debt and budget deficit. “We are drowning in debt. We are drowning in deficits. And it is irresponsible to make spending commitments and promises of financial support for another country without any guarantee,” he said.

Bardella argued that the current approach needs to be completely reconsidered. He praised the United States for conditioning support for Ukraine on commitments from Kyiv, citing agreements involving American access to Ukrainian natural resources, particularly rare materials, in exchange for guarantees linked to loans and other assistance.

The 30-year-old politician is regarded as one of the most likely candidates to become France’s prime minister if Marine Le Pen wins next year’s presidential election. He nevertheless said France would not abandon Ukraine if Le Pen, the National Rally candidate, succeeds Emmanuel Macron.

His proposed change concerns how support would be delivered. Ukraine could guarantee that European funds would be used exclusively to purchase military equipment produced by the defense industries of the countries providing the money.

The position differs sharply from Macron’s effort to coordinate Europe’s response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and strengthen France’s role among Kyiv’s leading Western allies. Bardella also criticized European Union regulation, taking a position closer to Donald Trump and major U.S. technology companies. He said France could use its significant nuclear-energy capacity to advance its interests, although the supplied article ends before completing that point.

“

We are drowning in debt. We are drowning in deficits. And it is irresponsible to make spending commitments and promises of financial support for another country without any guarantee.