French Candidates Clash Over Halting Aid to Ukraine

French presidential candidates are clashing over the National Rally's pledge to halt military aid to Ukraine.

Louis Aliot, vice-president of the National Rally, stated that the party plans to stop support if it comes to power, questioning the financing of weapons while domestic systems face exhaustion. Édouard Philippe, a presidential candidate for the center-right Horizons party, criticized this stance, asserting that turning off the tap on Ukraine serves Russia and threatens European and French security.

Benjamin Haddad, French minister for European Affairs, expressed confidence that the French electorate will reject extremism and far-right candidates, citing past instances where voters have refused euroscepticism and populism. Haddad, belonging to President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party, stated he does not trust polls, recalling Macron's rise from behind in the 2016 polls. Nigel Farage, of Britain's Reform UK party, plans to visit France by the end of October to meet with Le Pen, following a meeting with RN leader Jordan Bardella where they signed an agreement to deport illegal migrants back to France.

Farage has previously criticized RN's economic policies but noted closer links on immigration issues. Le Pen's party has faced scrutiny over its stance on Ukraine and Russia.