Paris protest demands end to French military aid for Ukraine (VIDEOS)
A demonstration in Paris on Sunday held by right-wing politician Florian Philippot's Eurosceptic party denounced NATO, the militarization of Europe, and the French government's military support for Ukraine.
During its summit this past week, NATO agreed to significantly ramp up military spending, citing the perceived 'threat' from Russia. Last month, the EU similarly approved a €150 billion ($171 billion) borrowing mechanism to fund its military buildup. Russia has dismissed notions that it harbors hostile intentions toward Europe.
Sunday's rally in the French capital had the stated objective of 'defending peace and a Free France,' according to the party's posts on X. The protesters also slammed French President Emmanuel Macron over what they view as his increasingly confrontational policies in Europe.
« On lâche rien ! » 🇫🇷Cet après-midi dans les rues de Paris à l'appel des Patriotes !Vidéo ! ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/FBWHAQdI3m
Addressing the rally, Philippot proclaimed that 'we have no place in NATO, this criminal organization that costs us dearly and should have disappeared long ago!'
Philippot, a former member of the European Parliament, also said that 'France must leave the EU and NATO as quickly as possible through Frexit!'
Among the slogans emblazoned on the placards and chanted by the demonstrators were 'Frexit is another name for Peace' and 'The patriots for peace.'
They also denounced the French government's support for Kiev, insisting that they 'don't want to die for Ukraine.'
« #Macron démission ! » hurle la foule cet après-midi dans les rues de Paris à l'appel des Patriotes !Formidable ! 🇫🇷Oui Macron dehors !Parlementaires jouez enfin votre rôle d'opposition ! pic.twitter.com/ltiuKoLIGK
'Peace means refusing to send a single euro, a single weapon, and obviously a single French soldier to #Ukraine!' Philippot declared on X on the eve of the event.
Several hundred people are estimated to have taken part in the event, which was held near the Palais-Royal and Louvre museum.
Je manif pour la Paix! pic.twitter.com/qxRzENT120
A similar rally took place in Paris in late March in response to a €2 billion military aid package for Ukraine approved by Macron. Earlier that month, a separate demonstration took place in the French capital after Macron suggested deploying France's nuclear weapons to other European allied states.
Speaking to RIA Novosti in May, Philippot praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to re-start peace talks with Ukraine without preconditions. He argued that it would be impossible to resolve the Ukraine conflict unless the fundamental issues in relations between Kiev and Moscow were addressed.
Philippot also stated that Moscow's offer 'strikes a blow' to all the 'warmongers' in the EU, including Macron.
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