Key facts
- Marine Le Pen supports Donald Trump's invitation to Vladimir Putin for the G20 summit.
- Le Pen stated any initiative to end the war in Ukraine is welcome.
- Le Pen criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's efforts to negotiate peace.
- Le Pen said France would halt financial aid to Ukraine if she wins the 2027 presidential election.
- EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas called the invitation difficult to hear.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit scheduled for December in Miami. Le Pen stated at POLITICO's Paris Playbook live event that "Any initiatives aimed at putting an end to this slaughter are welcome," referring to Russia's war against Ukraine. She also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for what she perceived as insufficient efforts to bring Russia back to the negotiating table.
Le Pen further clarified her stance on the conflict, indicating that if she wins the 2027 presidential election, France would cease all financial aid to Ukraine, although she expressed willingness to continue some forms of support, such as military training. She cited the risk of escalation following a drone attack at Germany's Leipzig airport, which she attributed to Russia's actions against military transport to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of ending the conflict.
The White House's invitation to Putin is seen as an effort to reintegrate Moscow into global diplomatic discussions, potentially marking the Russian president's first in-person G20 appearance since 2019. However, the move is already causing division, particularly as Russian forces continue drone and missile strikes on Kyiv. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas told CNN that the invitation was "very hard to hear."