Marine Le Pen’s 2017 Interview Surfaces Defending Russia’s Sphere of Influence
- Marine Le Pen asserted in a March 2017 interview with the BBC that Ukraine is part of Russia's sphere of influence, comparing the dynamic to Canada's relationship with...
- According to the archival interview, Marine Le Pen maintained that territorial friction involving Ukraine was a localized dispute rather than a broader security crisis for Europe.
- During the 2017 appearance, Le Pen echoed criticisms voiced by Donald Trump, calling the alliance obsolete because it was founded to counter the Soviet Union.
Marine Le Pen asserted in a March 2017 interview with the BBC that Ukraine is part of Russia’s sphere of influence, comparing the dynamic to Canada’s relationship with the United States. Speaking during her French presidential campaign to journalist Emily Maitlis on Newsnight, the far-right leader also defended Moscow’s actions, criticized NATO expansion, and argued that there is no reason to enter into a new Cold War with Russia.
Sphere of Influence and Post-WWII Deals
According to the archival interview, Marine Le Pen maintained that territorial friction involving Ukraine was a localized dispute rather than a broader security crisis for Europe. Le Pen: Ukraine is part of Russia’s sphere of influence, it’s a fact. Just like Canada is part of America’s sphere of influence. When pressed by Emily Maitlis on whether France would intervene if Russian forces made incursions into Ukraine or the Baltic States, Le Pen rejected the premise as warmongering. She argued that post-World War II agreements regarding NATO and Russia’s borders had been reneged upon by the United States. Le Pen: The previous American administration put the Berlin Wall on wheels and pushed it back to Russia’s borders. That was in the interest of the US. Was it in the interest of the EU? The answer is no. We have no reason to enter into a new Cold War with Russia. But indeed, the sphere of influence of Russia, that’s going to increase a bit. The Baltic States too.
Position on NATO and Russian Leadership
During the 2017 appearance, Le Pen echoed criticisms voiced by Donald Trump, calling the alliance obsolete because it was founded to counter the Soviet Union. She advocated for France to leave NATO Allied Command, stating that Russia did not pose a military threat to European nations. Le Pen: NATO was created to fight the USSR. Today there is no USSR. I know it’s uncomfortable for some, but there’s no more USSR. There’s Russia, which doesn’t deserve to be treated with prejudice. It hasn’t led any campaigns against European countries, or against the US. Asked by Emily Maitlis whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had done more harm or good to the world, Le Pen pointed to domestic economic improvements and repeated electoral mandates as evidence of popular support. She also described Russian military intervention in Syria against ISIS as a positive development, according to the BBC broadcast.
