French MPs Debate EU Response to Ukraine Invasion
French Prime Minister François Bayrou opened a heated debate in the National Assembly on Monday evening over France’s and the EU’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The discussion came hours after US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance mocked Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sparking widespread outrage.
Bayrou denounced the situation as “a stunning scene marked by brutality and a desire to humiliate,” and expressed his support for Kyiv, saying Europe is “strong” and must guarantee its own security. He proposed that France contribute its nuclear arsenal to an EU defense framework, which could cost the 27-bloc up to €200 billion.
The debate was highly divisive, with most MPs supporting Ukraine but others expressing concerns about increased military spending. The far-right National Rally Party’s Marine Le Pen argued that France should prioritize its national interests and opposed a common EU military strategy. In contrast, the Green Party and Socialist Party supported the government’s position on Ukraine and proposed a stronger EU defense framework.
The debate was also marked by an unusual alliance between the Communist and hard-left parties, who agreed with the government’s stance on Ukraine. However, no final decision was reached, and a second debate is scheduled for Tuesday at the Senate to discuss peace efforts and Washington’s pause of military aid to Kyiv.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/03/mannheim-car-ramming-attack-no-political-background-assumed-at-this-stage-say-investigator