Le Pen ready to come to Ukraine for discussion with Zelensky about financial aid
French politician Marine Le Pen said she is ready to visit Ukraine and personally discuss with President Volodymyr Zelensky the possible termination of French financial aid. She insists that France no longer has sufficient budgetary resources to support Kyiv at current levels, but advocates for continued military aid.
Le Pen made this statement on October 15 on CNEWS television. Her words are also reported by the French newspaper Le Monde.
According to the representative of the National Rally party, she has no personal grievances against Zelensky and is ready to discuss differences regarding financial support for Ukraine.
"We could well discuss this issue whenever he wishes", Le Pen said.
When asked by the host whether she is ready to visit Ukraine for this purpose, the politician replied that she would come if invited.
"If Mr. Zelensky wishes us to talk, I would be happy to come to Ukraine", Le Pen stated.
At the same time, she reiterated her position on the necessity of ending French financial support for Kyiv.
According to Le Pen, France's commitments to aid Ukraine have amounted to about 6 billion euros annually. She believes that due to the difficult budgetary situation, the country can no longer afford such expenditures.
"I'm sorry to say it. I would like to be able to financially help Ukraine", the politician noted.
She explained her position by the need to direct French taxpayers' money primarily to solving the country's internal problems.
At the same time, Le Pen stressed that she does not advocate for a complete termination of support for Ukraine. According to her, France could continue military aid, particularly the supply of equipment.
Le Pen wants to stop funding Ukraine after elections
Earlier, on October 14, Le Pen said that if she wins the French presidential election in 2027, she would maintain financial aid to Ukraine for the first six months. After that, she plans to terminate it.
The politician explains her decision by the state of French public finances and the need to cut budget expenditures.
However, the estimate of 6 billion euros in annual aid cited by Le Pen should not be equated solely with direct cash transfers to Ukraine. French support includes various forms of funding, military aid, and contributions through European mechanisms.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, as reported by Le Monde, total French aid to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion has reached approximately 27 billion euros. Of this sum, about 7.9 billion euros is bilateral support, and another 19 billion euros are France's contributions to European aid mechanisms.
Zelensky responded to Le Pen's statements
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky earlier commented on Le Pen's intentions to cut financial aid in an interview with the Financial Times.
He emphasized that cooperation with Ukraine brings France not only political and security advantages but also technological benefits.
According to Zelensky, the Ukrainian army has accumulated unique experience in using modern weapons in combat conditions, which helps Western manufacturers improve their products.
As an example, the president cited the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense systems, which are being modernized based on their use in Ukraine.
Zelensky stressed that support for Ukraine is mutually beneficial cooperation, not just financial expenditures by European states.
He also expressed the opinion that Le Pen is not sufficiently familiar with some details of the military-technological partnership between Ukraine and France.
Thus, Le Pen's statement about readiness to come to Kyiv became a continuation of the public debate over the future of French aid to Ukraine ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
There is currently no confirmation that Zelensky has invited the French politician to Ukraine or that the parties have agreed to a meeting.
Sources: CNEWS, Le Monde, Financial Times