French nationalist leader says EU membership and support for Kyiv harm French living standards

The leader of the French party Les Patriotes has argued that France's membership in the European Union and its continued support for Ukraine are preventing French citizens from living with dignity, according to TASS.

In comments reported by the Russian state news agency, the politician said that such a political choice is unbearable for the French people, framing EU membership and aid to Kyiv as policies pursued by France's government at the cost of domestic living standards.

Les Patriotes is a nationalist, eurosceptic party that has positioned itself against French and European support for Ukraine since Russia's invasion of the country, arguing instead for a foreign policy focused more narrowly on French national interests. The party has previously called for France to reassess its EU commitments.

The remarks reflect a broader debate within French politics over the cost of supporting Ukraine militarily and financially, and over the constraints EU membership places on national economic and fiscal policy. Supporters of continued aid to Ukraine and of EU integration argue that both serve French and European security and economic interests, while critics such as Philippot contend that the costs fall disproportionately on ordinary households.

TASS's report did not include a response from the French government or from mainstream parties to the comments. The statement comes amid ongoing political debate in France over the country's economic difficulties and its role in supporting Ukraine.