On September 20, 2026, leaders of the French far-right party "National Rally," Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, made a statement following a meeting with the French president, where threats from Russia were discussed.
Statement from Far-Right Leaders
Le Pen and Bardella emphasized that France will not allow any foreign state, particularly Russia, to dictate its policy through intimidation or psychological pressure. They stated:
- France defines its foreign policy independently, based solely on national interests.
- Hostile actions against France's infrastructure should receive a proportional response.
The leaders also called for democratic debates regarding the financial support for Ukraine and initiatives aimed at diplomatic resolution of the conflict.
Political Context
According to recent polls, in the upcoming presidential elections in France, scheduled for April 2027, the candidate from the "National Rally" has a high chance of winning. This may indicate a growing support for far-right views within French society.
NATO's Response to Threats
In light of the threats from Russia, NATO Military Committee Chairman Admiral Dragone stated that the alliance is prepared to respond to potential escalation. He noted that NATO has clear military plans to protect its eastern flank, including:
- Four thousand pages of military plans.
- Scenarios ranging from minimal crises to potential intervention on NATO territory.
These plans were agreed upon in 2023 following the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.