And despite the atrocities that Russian troops have committed in Ukraine, Le Pen said that NATO should seek a “strategic rapprochement” with Russia once the war is over. Such a relationship would be “in the interest of France and Europe and I think even of the United States,” she said, to stop Russia from forging a stronger alliance with world power China.
She did not directly address the horrors unfolding in Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, left, and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin walk together prior to a meeting on whether to seek NATO membership.Credit:TT News Agency
Le Pen was speaking at a press conference to lay out her foreign policy plans, which include halting aid to African countries unless they take back “undesirable” migrants seeking entry to France. She also wants to slash support for international efforts to improve women’s reproductive health in poor countries, increase minority rights or solve environmental problems.
At the end of the event, protesters held up a poster showing a 2017 meeting between Le Pen and Putin. One activist was pulled out of the room. Anti-racism protesters also held a small demonstration outside.
In Sweden and Finland, long-held neutral positions have been challenged by the war in Ukraine.
Sweden neighbours Finland which shares a border with Russia and both countries have opted for neutrality, although Finland has deepened its partnership with NATO since Putin’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said everything changed when Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said the invasion by Finland’s “big, next-door neighbour” had prompted a debate which she now wanted to take place.Credit:TT News Agency
“We have a long border with Russia and we see how Russia acts in Ukraine … and of course we have to wonder what is the best way to secure that this would never happen in Finland,” Marin said.
“People’s mindset in Finland, and also in Sweden, changed and shifted very dramatically because of Russia’s actions.”
She said the invasion by Finland’s “big, next-door neighbour” had prompted a debate which she now wanted to take place, with the goal of any application to join NATO being a consensus one.
“It will happen quite fast, within weeks, not within months, we will have this discussion,” she said.
“The difference between being a partner and being a member is very clear.
“There’s no other way to have security guarantees than under NATO’s deterrence and common defence as guaranteed under NATO’s Article 5.”
The countries would likely apply in time for NATO’s gathering in June, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said.Credit:TT News Agency
Andersson’s ruling party recently dropped its opposition to NATO membership and said there were pros and cons to joining NATO.
“Being a member of NATO you do have the security of Article 5 … no question … at the same time you also have a responsibility towards other countries,” Anderson said.
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The countries would likely apply in time for NATO’s gathering in June. Unlike Ukraine, which has long sought NATO membership but been refuffed, Finland and Sweden would likely be welcomed into NATO and grow the number of member states from 30 to 32.
However, such a move would almost certainly anger Russia.
This week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Britain’s Sky News that Russia would have to take “additional measures” to ensure its security if Finland and Sweden joined.
“We’ll have to rebalance the situation and we’ll have to make our western flank more sophisticated in terms of ensuring our security,” he said.
with AP
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French far-right presidential candidate Le Pen wants out of NATO, no weapons to Ukraine
Source: Philippines Alive
