Le Pen and Bardella discover the border with Moscow

There is a passage in the statement issued by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella that suggests more than a mere distancing from Moscow: “These debates are legitimate. Foreign pressure is not.” The text comes in the wake of the meeting convened by Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace with party leaders and presidential candidates. Marine Le Pen was not present and had delegated Bardella to attend. At that meeting, the heads of foreign intelligence, internal security and military intelligence briefed French political leaders on the increase in Russian hybrid threats against France and against European countries supporting Ukraine. At the end of the meeting, Macron said that “the nature of Russian aggression and threats in Europe is changing” and that “no one is safe”.

The following day, the Rassemblement National set out in writing a distinction that would be worth considering in the Italian debate as well. One can debate, write Le Pen and Bardella, the level of financial aid to Ukraine, the conditions attached to that support and the need to pursue diplomatic channels. But democratic dissent is one thing; allowing a foreign power to attempt to influence it through intimidation, threats or destabilisation campaigns is quite another. “We will never tolerate a foreign power – in this case, Russia – hoping to dictate, directly or indirectly, our country’s policy through intimidation, threats, destabilisation or psychological pressure.” Rassemblement National – Statement by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella on the issue.pdf

This is a significant development precisely because it comes from the Rassemblement National, a party that has had a controversial relationship with Russia for years and which continues to take a far more cautious stance than the Élysée Palace on military and financial support for Kyiv. Yet, faced with the information shared by the French intelligence services, Le Pen and Bardella have chosen not to play down the situation. Instead, they write that “acts of hostility committed in Europe by agents operating on behalf of Russia have multiplied and intensified”. They cite the case of the drone laden with explosives in Leipzig, discuss the attacks on French economic interests and the defence industry, and acknowledge that the threat consists primarily of “hybrid actions and campaigns targeting our societies and public opinion”.

There is one sentence in particular that deserves to be highlighted: according to Le Pen and Bardella, the aim of individuals linked to Russian intelligence is “to make support for Ukraine appear to be the cause of the escalation that they themselves are orchestrating”. And then another: “No provocation, no covert operation and no destabilising action could induce France to facilitate Russia’s achievement of its war aims in Ukraine”.

The political message of the statement is straightforward. One can be critical of Macron. One can call for more diplomacy. One can debate the extent to which Kyiv should be assisted. But recognising the nature of the Russian threat should come first. Firmness in the face of hostile actions and the search for a diplomatic solution, write Le Pen and Bardella, “are not contradictory”. A simple formula. And, in our part of the world, far from a foregone conclusion. Rassemblement National – Statement by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella on the d.pdf

The full press release, translated

Statement by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella on the deteriorating security situation in Europe and Russian hybrid actions

Rassemblement National, 19 September 2026

The decision taken by the Russian authorities to place the Russian subsidiaries and assets of several French and European companies under temporary administration constitutes a hostile act against the interests of France and the nations of Europe. This decision, which directly affects the interests and rights of our companies, must be strongly condemned.

Furthermore, over the past several weeks, acts of hostility committed in Europe by agents acting on behalf of Russia have multiplied and become more serious.

At Leipzig Airport in Germany, a drone laden with explosives targeted Ukrainian transport aircraft. The investigation has linked the perpetrators of this operation to the Russian intelligence services. France has not been spared from these actions, which specifically target our economic interests and companies in our defence industry.

At the same time, in recent days, the highest authorities in several European countries, particularly those in Poland, have warned of the risk of an escalation in operations targeting states that support Ukraine. This deterioration in the security situation was confirmed by our intelligence services to French political leaders during the meeting of party leaders held at the Élysée Palace on 18 September, attended by the President of the Republic and representatives of the state services.

These events must be treated with the utmost seriousness. Whilst no one can currently predict, or rule out in the medium or long term, the occurrence of more intense operations, the threat we are currently facing consists mainly of hybrid actions and campaigns targeting our societies and public opinion.

For entities linked to Russian intelligence – which, in particular, rely on so-called ‘disposable’ agents of various nationalities to carry out their operations – the aim is to make it appear as though support for Ukraine is the cause of the escalation that they themselves are orchestrating.

This particularly serious situation makes it necessary to reaffirm our position in the clearest possible terms.

Questioning France’s diplomatic and strategic orientations is a legitimate part of democratic debate, all the more so in the context of a presidential election. The debate must, in particular, be able to address the level of financial support granted to Ukraine and the conditions attached to that support, as well as the inadequacy of initiatives aimed at seeking forms of diplomatic dialogue capable of contributing to a resolution of the conflict.

These debates are legitimate. Foreign pressure is not.

We will never tolerate a foreign power – in this case, Russia – hoping to dictate our country’s policy, either directly or indirectly, through intimidation, threats, destabilisation or psychological pressure.

No provocation, no clandestine operation and no destabilising action could induce France to facilitate Russia’s achievement of its war aims in Ukraine. France’s foreign policy is decided in Paris, sovereignly, solely on the basis of the nation’s interests. It cannot be determined in Moscow, nor in any other foreign capital.

Furthermore, France cannot allow any hostile action carried out on its territory, against its infrastructure, its strategic interests or its people, to go unpunished. Any such operation must be met with a proportionate response, in accordance with our law, our national interests and our international commitments.

In these circumstances, we support all necessary measures to strengthen the security of our strategic infrastructure, our sensitive facilities and the companies directly involved in our national defence. The protection of our territory, our industrial and technological capabilities and our fellow citizens is a primary responsibility of the state.

Similarly, we reaffirm our strongest solidarity with our European allies that have been the target of hostile acts or destabilisation campaigns.

Taking a firm stance against hostile actions and seeking a diplomatic solution to the war are not contradictory. They respond to the same need: to safeguard the security of the French people, defend our country’s sovereignty and prevent Europe from being dragged into an uncontrolled escalation.

In this period of tension, it is our responsibility not to give in to intimidation or to the drive towards escalation. France must remain in control of its own decisions, ensure the protection of its territory and interests, honour its commitments and retain full freedom of diplomatic initiative.

It is a matter of sovereignty. It is also a prerequisite for national security and independence.

Marine Le Pen

Jordan Bardella