Le Pen Vows to Cut EU Budget and Oppose Ukraine Funding If Elected

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen stated in an interview with the Financial Times that if she comes to power in France, she would work to sharply cut the EU budget and dramatically reduce Brussels' powers. She also confirmed that Paris would not back EU financial aid to Ukraine under her presidency.

Le Pen, who leads the National Rally party and is considered a frontrunner in France's upcoming presidential election, has long been skeptical of large EU financial commitments and has maintained an ambiguous stance toward Russia. Her statements represent her clearest articulation yet of specific policy intentions if elected.

The announcement has alarmed Ukrainian officials and EU partners who have relied on a unified European financial support framework for Ukraine. EU funding has been a critical lifeline for Ukraine's government and economy during the ongoing war with Russia.

Le Pen argued that French national interests must come first and that the EU's spending priorities need fundamental reform. She contended that Brussels has accumulated excessive power at the expense of national sovereignty, a central theme of her electoral campaign.

Her position on Ukraine contrasts sharply with the current French government's strong support for Kyiv. Analysts warn that a Le Pen presidency could significantly undermine the coherence of European policy on Ukraine and weaken the EU's collective response to Russian aggression.