Several of the presidential candidates were received by Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday February 28 for a meeting about the war in Ukraine. Were invited those who have already collected more than 300 sponsorships. The head of government was notably accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, and the Minister for the Armed Forces, Florence Parly. Speaking after the meeting, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said it had taken place. “in a spirit of great responsibility”and that “precise questions were asked, and all the answers provided”.
The candidate of the Les Républicains party, Valérie Pécresse, was pleased to receive a “very complete information on the situation”. She said hello “the firmness shown by the European Union”wishing that this approach “is anchored in the long term”. Because “we must aim for a ceasefire”according to her, it is necessary that “the balance of power is maintained” with Vladimir Putin. For the right-wing candidate, “this ordeal challenges Europe to think about European security differently, this will be the post-conflict issue”.
It will also be necessary, according to her, “that we build our energy independence, our food independence, so that this type of conflict can no longer put Europe in danger”while the EU-27 are expecting drastic increases in the prices of energy and raw materials, especially food. “But the urgency is to help Ukrainians, including refugees,” she pointed out. Valérie Pécresse also said she regretted that her proposal to appoint Nicolas Sarkozy as emissary for the conflict was not accepted.
Belarus, a “co-belligerent”
Facing journalists, Anne Hidalgo said she encouraged “France’s initiatives strengthening economic sanctions” against Moscow, but also “Efforts to support Ukrainians”. The socialist candidate was also pleased that the question of welcoming refugees had been raised. “The measures taken by France, and on a European scale, will, I hope, open up spaces for dialogue to quickly obtain a ceasefire”for his part reacted the communist candidate, Fabien Roussel.
“We need national unity, European unity if we want to have the greatest firmness to fight Vladimir Putin, to help the resistance [ukrainienne] », commented the ecologist Yannick Jadot. According to him, civilians must be provided “the minimum to defend oneself”among others “bulletproof vests”. Mr. Jadot said he mentioned “the extension of sanctions to Belarus, now a co-belligerent” in the conflict.
For him as for Mme Pécresse, the current crisis requires “Think very quickly about European energy sovereignty” and of “freeing ourselves from our dependence on gas” Russian. However, there is no question of validating Emmanuel Macron’s ambitions for the development of the nuclear sector: for Yannick Jadot, this strategy, “it’s for 2040”while the crisis requires rapid solutions.
Far-right candidate Eric Zemmour called for his side to “preparing for the aftermath” of the conflict, by establishing a “security plan for Europe”. He reiterated his proposal to send, for the resolution of the conflict, “respected emissaries” of the Russian leader.
“True status of neutrality of Ukraine”
“After these first sanctions, what is behind it? »asked Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who said he feared, in the absence of a precise plan, the setting in motion of a “terrible gear”. For the candidate of Debout la France, “we must propose a real status of neutrality for Ukraine” vis-à-vis NATO in particular, “in exchange for a withdrawal of Russian troops” of its territory. “I wondered about the relevance of asking for a ceasefire while delivering weapons”he added.
The candidates also pleaded for the war in Ukraine not to overshadow the democratic debate before the presidential election, while Emmanuel Macron is still not officially a candidate for re-election and has postponed sine die the meeting he was to hold in Marseille on Saturday to launch his campaign. “I think it is important to know under what conditions this election will take place”said Marine Le Pen, for whom “It would not be a question of Russia’s aggression depriving the French of what is the cornerstone of our democratic system”.
Gabriel Attal wanted to be reassuring on the subject, declaring that “Democratic debate is absolutely essential” and welcoming, among the candidates, “the spirit of unity around this issue”.