Marine Le Pen stated that she would postpone France's withdrawal from NATO's integrated command as long as the war in Ukraine continues

Marine Le Pen stated on Thursday, at the Playbook Paris Live summit in Paris, that she still intends to withdraw France from NATO’s integrated command, but will not take this step as long as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. The leader of the National Rally party argues that a conflict on Europe’s doorstep does not allow such a measure to be adopted at this time.

The statement represents a qualification of the position expressed in May, when Le Pen said the withdrawal would take place during her first term, without making it conditional on the course of the war. The party’s president, Jordan Bardella, had previously said he would prefer the decision to be postponed until a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow was concluded.

According to polls, Le Pen is the favorite for next year’s French presidential election. She reiterated that, if she wins, she will halt financial aid to Ukraine, but would continue military support and the training of Ukrainian troops.

Le Pen rejected the idea that France is currently in direct conflict with Russia and warned that Paris must not enter a war with a nuclear power. At the same time, she did not oppose the “Coalition of the Willing,” an initiative led by France and the United Kingdom for a possible peacekeeping presence in Ukraine after the war ends.