Jean-Luc Mélenchon Expresses His “Neither Trump Nor Putin” Stance on the Ukraine War and National Defense

Invited on the Dimanche en politique program on France 3, the leader of La France Insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, clarified his position on the Ukraine conflict and the geopolitical threats facing France. According to him, “the one who physically threatens us is Mr. Trump.” In this context, he reaffirmed his political stance of “neither Trump nor Putin,” emphasizing that he did not reserve his criticism for one or the other of the two leaders.

Harsh Criticism of Trump and Putin

Jean-Luc Mélenchon expressed concern over Donald Trump’s policies, which he considers a direct threat to France. “He’s the one imposing tariffs, suffocating part of our economy. He’s the one threatening to invade or annex allied nations, like Mexico or Canada,” he stated. In his view, Trump represents a physical threat to France, particularly through his economic actions and aggressive statements, including his threat to occupy Greenland.

Regarding Russia, the Insoumis leader also pointed out the threat posed by Vladimir Putin with the invasion of Ukraine. Mélenchon clarified, “We’re facing someone in Russia who is invading Ukraine.” He reaffirmed his support for a swift resolution to the conflict while emphasizing the importance of protecting nuclear power plants, suggesting the deployment of UN peacekeepers to ensure security in this sensitive area.

Call for NATO Exit and a New Approach to Defense

Jean-Luc Mélenchon also reiterated his opposition to NATO, which he sees as a tool of U.S. dominance in Europe. He insisted that France should leave the alliance, highlighting the uncertainty of the United States in the current situation. According to him, “this is the moment or never” to exit NATO.

Regarding national defense, and in light of recent comments by Emmanuel Macron about the Universal National Service (SNU), Mélenchon argued that France does not need to “put 300,000 boys in barracks every year.” He advocated for a defense model where the population would be prepared to “organize passive resistance,” linking it to the fight against climate change. “Mass resistance to climatic events is the same as resisting an invasion,” he concluded.