The leader of La France Insoumise called for a ban on long-range strikes against the aggressor's territory
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the La France Insoumise party, faced criticism after suggesting that Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory could increase the threat from Moscow. The politician advocated for a step-by-step de-escalation strategy and restrictions on the use of long-range weapons. This was reported by Glavcom citing Le Monde, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Jean-Luc Melenchon’s remarks were made on September 23 during a campaign press conference. While the politician claimed he did not intend to justify the actions of the Kremlin, his rhetoric regarding Ukrainian strikes on Russia sparked a wave of outrage among other French presidential candidates.
Reaction from French politicians
Green party candidate Marine Tondelier condemned attempts to equate the actions of an aggression victim with those of the aggressor state. Meanwhile, centrist Raphael Glucksmann emphasized that peace cannot be based on submission to tyranny, and far-right leader Marine Le Pen also criticized Moscow for the escalation.
In response to the criticism during a debate on September 24, Melenchon explained his words as an attempt to draw public attention to the issue. He proposed a strategy that includes banning long-range strikes, stating it is important to avoid a loss of face for both sides of the conflict.
Position of the LFI party
Melenchon’s party members attempted to justify their leader’s words on September 25, citing their official condemnation of Russian aggression. However, analysts note that such statements align the rhetoric of La France Insoumise with the official stance of Moscow, sparking debates over future aid to Ukraine if Melenchon is elected president in 2027.
The party’s voting record in the French parliament shows an ambivalent attitude toward supporting Kyiv. Notably, LFI deputies abstained from voting for a support resolution in November 2022 and opposed a security agreement with Ukraine in March 2024.
Illustrative photo: Pierre-Selim / CC BY 3.0
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