“Beware of improvised solutions”. The candidate of La France insoumise in the presidential election, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, said Tuesday, March 1 in the Assembly that he regretted the decision of the European Union to supply arms to Ukraine, invaded by Russia. A position which earned the former minister boos from some of the deputies.
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“The means we use must never turn against us. However, I regret that the European Union has decided to ‘to supply armaments necessary for a war’in the words of Commissioner Josep Borrell”in reference to the head of European diplomacy, declared Jean-Luc Mélenchon before the deputies gathered in a special session to discuss the war in Ukraine.
“Frustratingly, the only rational path is that of peace. It has a clear name, de-escalation.” @JLMelenchon regrets that the European Union decides to supply “armaments”, because “that makes us co-belligerents.” #UkraineRussiaWar #DirectAN pic.twitter.com/JOyeKnXjdx
—LCP (@LCP) March 1, 2022
“This decision would make us co-belligerents. A gear is engaged, with what legitimacy? When did our parliament decide it?”he asked under the boos of parliamentarians.
The presidential candidate also expressed concern about the decision to exclude Russia from the Swift financial transaction system, again causing a stir in the hemicycle. “The Russian people are not our enemy, let’s not confuse them with the nationalist regime” of Vladimir Putin, he said.
“Cutting the Swift financial circuit, isn’t this initiating a global escalation by pushing Russians and Chinese to now use their own circuits exclusively? What advantages for peace?”, critical @JLMelenchon. #DirectAN #UkraineRussiaWar #Putin #InvasionUkraine pic.twitter.com/YmiYKmiXFG
—LCP (@LCP) March 1, 2022
“Whatever the causes of the invasion of Ukraine, nothing can excuse it, nor put it into perspective”said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, pleading for the “neutrality” of Ukraine and a diplomatic solution negotiated under the aegis of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The Insoumis leader was then taken to task by the boss of LR deputies, Damien Abad, who denounced “some presidential candidates (who harbor) a sort of fascination with authoritarian regimes”.
“Yes, I accuse Mr. Zemmour, Mrs. Le Pen and Mr. Mélenchon of having maintained an unhealthy fascination for Putin’s power”, launches @damienabad.
> “When you are a candidate for the presidential election, you stand up for democracy.” #DirectAN #UkraineRussiaWar #InvasionUkraine pic.twitter.com/tpMhZ9tlMn—LCP (@LCP) March 1, 2022
“Yes, I accuse Mr. Zemmour, Mrs. Le Pen and Mr. Mélenchon of having maintained an unhealthy fascination for Putin’s model (…) I accuse them of compromises which cast irreversible discredit on their ability to lead the country”he lambasted.