“We have no right to weaken (…) We must be united”, declared Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne at the Palais Bourbon, as part of the parliamentary return to the National Assembly, Monday, October 3, which opened with a debate on the conflict in Ukraine.
>> Follow our live on the parliamentary return of deputies to the National Assembly
The Prime Minister notably called for continued sanctions against Russia and announced the holding, “in the coming months”, in Paris, of an economic conference, which should lead to the mobilization of French companies for the reconstruction of the country. Here’s what to remember from his speech.
On France’s involvement in the conflict
Elisabeth Borne launched the discussion by praising “heroism” Ukrainians who “progress” against Russia, which “trenches in cynicism, threat and blackmail”, after Moscow’s demand for the annexation of four regions, strongly condemned by kyiv and the West. The head of government thus reaffirmed France’s support for Ukraine. “Since the beginning of the conflict, with the allies and the other European nations, we have multiplied the deliveries of arms to Ukraine. We assume it: we must give Ukraine the means to defend itself.”
The war in Ukraine “is not just a conflict between two countries. (…) This war is a fight for our values,” she also told the parliamentarians. “Vladimir Putin himself admitted this last Friday : it is our democratic model that he is attacking”, added Elisabeth Borne. Regarding France’s commitment, she also announced the organization “in the coming months” in Paris of an economic conference on Ukraine, in order to “mobilize French companies” in the reconstruction of the country.
On the continuation of sanctions against Russia
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the will of the French State to continue the sanctions carried out against Russia. Without naming the National Rally, the head of government pointed “simplicity” and “talk about the platform”. Sanctions against Russia “work”she pointed out, “No offense to those who hide their fascination for Russian imperialism with a so-called patriotism”.
“Our goal has been the same from the start: to make the cost of war unbearable for Russia”she hammered. The Head of Government thus reaffirmed the importance of “multilateralism” to advance in the conflict: “We are strong when we move forward together, she said. Russia thought it found NATO weak and divided, it reunited it.”
On war crimes
“Every day, with the utmost cynicism, Russia pushes back the frontiers of barbarism. It uses weapons indiscriminately, targeting civilians, targeting schools, hospitals, shopping malls, humanitarian convoys, continued Elisabeth Borne. In the occupied territories, we are witnessing forced transfers of population, including children. Their release is accompanied by the discovery of new atrocities, as in Boutcha, in April, or in Izium more recently. (…) These are all violations of the laws of war. So many actions that justify action. So many monstrosities for which Russia will have to answer”she said again.
“We are determined that the crimes committed by Russia are documented, tried and punished. This is an essential condition for the return of a lasting peace.”
Elisabeth Borne, Prime Ministerat the National Assembly, October 3, 2022
The head of government also denounced the presence “on the front” by Wagner, “mercenary company, which takes its orders directly from the Kremlin” and that “today employs Russian criminals to come and fight on the front”, “whose methods are well known, as evidenced by his documented abuses in the Central African Republic and Mali”.
On the situation at the Zaporizhia power plant
Elisabeth Borne reiterated that France remained “extremely concerned about the situation” of the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant (southern Ukraine), controlled by Russia, stating that Paris supported the proposal of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “to stop firing and withdraw military equipment from the area”.
On energy independence
Elisabeth Borne also spoke of the explosions that led to leaks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, speaking of a “serious sabotage”. “We are ready for winter”however, said the Prime Minister, while a little commotion in the hemicycle was heard.
“This war shows us the need to quickly conquer our energy sovereignty and get out of our dependence. (…) We will achieve this through an ambitious and sustainable plan.”