Saturday, 11 March 2023

Many countries concerned about US military biological activity — Russia’s Defense Ministry

Many countries concerned about US military biological activity — Russia’s Defense Ministry

Many countries concerned about US military biological activity — Russia’s Defense Ministry




©Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images






Russia’s move to expose the United States’ military and biological activities made many countries wonder about the real reasons for the presence of US research facilities on their territories, Chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov said on Friday.







"The Russian Federation's disclosure of US military and biological activities outside its national territory makes a growing number of countries wonder about the real reasons for the presence of US research facilities on their territory," he pointed out at a briefing.


Kirillov noted that in December 2022, the Philippines’ Makabayan opposition bloc had called on the country’s Congress to investigate the Pentagon’s activities at the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Tarlac City.


"The parliamentarians’ appeal points out that the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has overt and covert military objectives in the Philippines, which may not coincide with Manila’s interests. In their appeal, the MPs demand that the US military begin to examine the work of the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Health, as well as the national defense agency," the Russian general said.


According to him, "earlier, Indonesia stated that it was inadvisable for the US military biolaboratory NAMRU-2 to be located on its territory." "The Indonesian authorities demanded a complete cessation of its activities back in 2010, after which the US Department of Defense was forced to move all unfinished projects to the territory of Cambodia," the chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops emphasized.



Russia issues latest report on US-funded biolabs in Ukraine



US-funded biological research laboratories are continuing to operate in Ukraine in spite of official statements indicating that they had been “deactivated,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a Friday report on Washington’s international pathogen research programs.


According to the commander of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Moscow has obtained documents that suggest Kiev has continued to coordinate with the Pentagon in the military biological field, including the transfer of pathogenic biomaterials.







Kirillov pointed to an official appeal from ‘ch2m-hill’ – a key Pentagon contractor – to Ukrainian companies participating in a “program to counter particularly dangerous pathogens in Ukraine.” 


The document reports on the continuation of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) biological program in Ukraine and outlines future tasks, such as consolidating collections of dangerous pathogens and deploying systems for managing bio risks and monitoring the epidemiological situation.


Kirillov also stated that, in January 2023, the government of Ukraine published a new set of requirements for the “accounting, storage, transportation and destruction” of various pathogens, which included instructions for the international transportation by air of substances with the highest hazard class. He noted that the transport document templates provided in the guidelines only featured examples of US labs as recipients or senders of the hazardous biomaterials.


The lieutenant general warned that Kiev and Washington could potentially use their research to carry out “provocations with dangerous pathogens,” which they would later blame on Russia.


In his report, Kirillov reiterated Russia’s concerns with the potential risks associated with the “dual-use” programs that the US implements on its own territory and abroad.


He pointed out that the work of US biolabs on dangerous pathogens “seems to be the height of recklessness” against the backdrop of viral outbreaks such as anthrax and cholera in various parts of the world and the rise in animal diseases such as African swine fever, avian influenza, and foot and mouth disease.


The commander also drew attention to the US pharmaceutical industry’s attempts to secure “unlimited profits” by conducting “directed evolution” research on the Covid-19 virus, in order to “proactively develop new vaccines,” which Pfizer R&D director Jordan Walker admitted to in a Project Veritas expose.


Kirillov also reiterated Russia’s position that the main goal of US bio programs across the world was to “establish global biological control” by degrading the national health systems of other countries and subverting the provisions of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) with its own rules, which were developed to serve the interests of Washington and its allies.








Michael McFaul 'Nervous' About Ukraine's Ability to 'Hold on, Keep US Engaged' Against Russia

Michael McFaul 'Nervous' About Ukraine's Ability to 'Hold on, Keep US Engaged' Against Russia

Michael McFaul 'Nervous' About Ukraine's Ability to 'Hold on, Keep US Engaged' Against Russia




©Sputnik / Сергей Кузнецов / / Go to the mediabank






The US sabotaged Russia-Ukraine peace talks last spring, prolonging the crisis for a year and ramping up military support to Kiev so that the Ukrainians would be ready to “fight” Russia “to the last person,” as Senator Lindsey Graham put it. 11 months later, some in Washington fear the NATO proxy war against Russia may be approaching its end.







The “stalemate” on the front in Ukraine is troubling, and may be a sign that Kiev has run out of steam, former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has said.


“The bad news thinking about where we’re at right now is, it is a kind of trench warfare stalemated war…The battlefield moves by inches or yards or kilometers, but not many kilometers. It’s been basically stuck for several months, and that makes me nervous. That makes me nervous about the ability of the Ukrainians to hold on and to keep us engaged in the long haul,” McFaul said, speaking to former Obama advisor David Axelrod in the latter’s radio show on Thursday.


The former diplomat shared an anecdote about how, near the end of his term as ambassador in Russia in 2014, an official close to President Putin told him that “‘one thing you gotta remember: first, we care more about Ukraine than you do, and second, you guys have short attention spans in the West, you Americans. We don’t. We can stay for the long haul.’ I think about that conversation every time because that’s exactly what Putin is counting on now. He’s gonna stay as long as it takes and he believes he has the manpower to do it…But he’s really counting on us to lose interest and say ‘why are we fighting there anyway’?”


McFaul criticized the Biden administration’s strategy of “incrementalism” in sending arms to Ukraine, urging Washington to “go all in” and give Kiev long-range missile systems, jets, Reaper drones, etc. “The concept is big bang now, not this creeping incrementalism,” he said.


The former diplomat said the weapons are needed “now” because Ukrainian officials “don’t believe time is on their side.”


“I talk to Ukrainians every day. What I hear in their voice, including President Zelensky and his team is urgency. When they hear Western officials say ‘we’re going to be with you for as long as it takes’” at the recent Munich Security Council, “Ukrainians that I was sitting in the audience with, they focused on the word ‘long’. They don’t want a long war because they don’t think they can sustain a long war, one because they’re going to run out of soldiers and two, they’re worried they’re gonna run out of support from the West,” McFaul said.







Kiev sees 2023 as a critical year, and may stage “some kind of counteroffensive to break what the Russians have in the north from Crimea,” according to Mcfaul. “That’s what everybody says. They wanna cut Crimea off from the Donbass. Now when everybody says that’s what they’re gonna do I get a little skeptical. I wonder is that what they’re wanting us to believe or is that what they’re really gonna do. But my sense is they feel like they need to do something, and so my argument is: give them everything,” the former diplomat said.


McFaul dismissed Washington’s fears of sparking an escalation with Moscow, suggesting all that Russia has left is the nuclear option. “It’s a big card and it’s a scary card, and I don’t wanna pretend I know with certainty what Putin would do if he feels like he’s losing. But I also don’t wanna pretend that others that predict with certainty that he would use a nuclear weapon understand Putin better than I do,” he boasted.



Insights Into Washington’s Thinking on Ukraine



McFaul also let slip the type of logic behind US thinking on the need to keep pumping billions of dollars into Ukraine, affirming thinking by some Russian observers that for Washington, the crisis in Ukraine isn’t really about Ukraine at all, but a matter of prestige, both internationally and domestically.


“We want Putin to lose and we want Xi Jinping to learn the lessons of that. We don’t want Xi Jinping to help Putin win. Because I think it sends a signal to the world that we put all this money in, we backed him, and our guy still loses, right, President Zelensky? That’s a bad signal not just to Beijing but to 4-5 dozen countries around the world that are kind of sitting on the sidelines – the Indians, the South Africans, the Israelis, who are just saying ‘we don’t wanna take sides in this war’. We want them to take sides and therefore we need to help Ukraine win. And by the way, the American people like winners too,” McFaul said.








McFaul served as US ambassador to Russia between 2011-2014. Moscow slapped him with an entry ban in 2016 for “intentionally damaging” Russia-US ties. During his time in Russia, the theorist of Color Revolutions visited with leaders of street protests plotting to overthrow the Russian government during the so-called “White Ribbon” or “Snow Revolution” of 2011-2012.



‘Timely’ Warning



McFaul’s warning that authorities in Kiev no longer believe “time is on their side” contrasts with rhetoric used by senior US officials and Washington think tanks assuring that the US can outwit, outplay and outlast Russia in the Ukrainian crisis.


His comments also contradict the strategy taken by the West over the past 11 months amid media reports that the Ukrainian conflict could have been stopped last spring, had now-former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson not flown to Kiev on Washington’s behalf in April 2022 to push Zelensky to back out of a peace agreement with Moscow. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett appeared to corroborate these reports last month, saying that in his conversations with both Zelensky and Putin in the early months of the crisis, both men expressed readiness to make “big concessions” in the interest of peace, but that the deal ended up being “blocked” by the US and its allies





Friday, 10 March 2023

US, regional countries react to China-brokered Saudi-Iran agreement

US, regional countries react to China-brokered Saudi-Iran agreement

US, regional countries react to China-brokered Saudi-Iran agreement










The US said it was aware of reports that Iran and Saudi Arabia had resumed diplomatic relations on Friday, but referred further details to the Saudis, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said.







Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months following years of tensions between the two countries in a China-brokered deal.


“Generally speaking, we welcome any efforts to help end the war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region,” the spokesperson said. “De-escalation and diplomacy together with deterrence are key pillars of the policy President Biden outlined during his visit to the region last year,” they added.


White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby added, while the US welcomed the deal, it remained “skeptical” about whether Iran would “meet their obligations.”


The UAE said on Friday it welcomed the agreement, and said it “valued” China's role in the negotiations.


“We believe in the importance of positive communication and dialogue between the countries of the region to consolidate the concept of good neighborliness,” senior government official and advisor to the UAE president Anwar Gargash said.


Qatar’s prime minister and foreign affairs minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani welcomed the announcement during a phone call with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Qatar News Agency said on Friday.







He also welcomed the reactivation of the security cooperation agreement between the two countries and the general cooperation agreement in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth.


Al-Thani further expressed Qatar's aspiration that this step “contribute to enhancing security and stability in the region, and meet the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries for the benefit of the whole region.”


Iraq and Oman also both welcomed the announcement of the resumption of relations, according to state news agencies in both countries.


Oman “welcomed the trilateral statement on resumption of diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Tehran,” a statement carried by Oman News Agency said, while Iraq welcomed “turning a new page” between Iran and Saudi Arabia, its state news agency said.


“This is a win-win for everyone and will benefit regional and global security,” Omani foreign minister Badr Albusaidi said. “We hope in the longer term there’s also potential for increasing economic benefits for all,” he added.








The Turkish and Lebanese foreign ministries also released statements welcoming the agreement.




The Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi said on Friday he and his organization hoped the agreement would “contribute to enhancing security and peace.”


The Saudi and Iranian sides expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Iraq and Oman for hosting rounds of dialogue that took place between both sides during the years 2021-2022, Friday's statement said.


The two sides expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting and sponsoring the talks, and the efforts it placed towards its success, it added.




Saudi Arabia, Iran reach agreement to renew diplomatic relations after talks in Beijing

Saudi Arabia, Iran reach agreement to renew diplomatic relations after talks in Beijing

Saudi Arabia, Iran reach agreement to renew diplomatic relations after talks in Beijing




The two countries would re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months. (Supplied))






Saudi Arabia and Iran on Friday agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months following years of tensions between the two countries.







“In response to the noble initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, of China’s support for developing good neighborly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” a statement carried by Saudi state news agency SPA said.


“The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.


“That includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states,” the statement said




The agreement came following talks that took place from Monday, March 6 to Friday, March 10 in Beijing, SPA reported.


The two are committed to a meeting between ministers of foreign affairs of both countries to implement the agreement, arrange for the return of their ambassadors and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.


Riyadh and Tehran also agreed to activate the security cooperation agreement signed in 2001 and the trade, economy and investment agreement signed in 1998, according to the agreement text.







The agreement was signed by Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, and Saudi Arabia’s national security adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.


“The Kingdom’s leadership welcomes the initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, based on the Kingdom’s consistent and continuous approach since its establishment in adhering to the principles of good neighborliness, taking everything that would enhance security and stability in the region and the world, and adopting the principle of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences,” Al-Aiban said.


“While we value what we have reached, we hope that we will continue to continue the constructive dialogue, in accordance with the pillars and foundations included in the agreement, expressing our appreciation for the People’s Republic of China’s continued positive role in this regard,” he added.


Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Twitter: “The resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran stems from the Kingdom's vision based on preferring political solutions and dialogue, and its keenness to perpetuate this in the region.”


He continued: “The countries of the region have one destiny and common denominators that make it necessary for us to join together to build a model of prosperity and stability for our peoples to enjoy.”






US Failed to Deactivate Biolabs in Ukraine Before Russian Op, Despite American Claims: Moscow

US Failed to Deactivate Biolabs in Ukraine Before Russian Op, Despite American Claims: Moscow

US Failed to Deactivate Biolabs in Ukraine Before Russian Op, Despite American Claims: Moscow




©Flickr/Francisco Javier Argel






Washington failed to deactivate biolaboratories in Ukraine before the launch of Russia's special military operation despite claims by US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, said on Friday.







"The US authorities contradict themselves in their statements regarding the work of US biological laboratories in Ukraine. Thus, in his statement dated January 31, 2023, the representative of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, confirmed the presence of US biological laboratories in Ukraine, while indicating that they were abandoned by personnel and ... 'deactivated' before the start of the special military operation. However, the documents we received deny Kirby's statement," Kirillov told reporters





Igor Kirillov unveiled new names of participants in the US' military biological programs, including representatives of state institutions and private companies in Ukraine.


"The Defense Ministry has already provided the names of participants in US military biological programs ... Today, we would like to supplement this list with representatives of state institutions and private companies of Ukraine involved in the implementation of US military biological programs," Kirillov said at a briefing.





The list, among others, includes Serhiy Morhun, the head of the sanitary and epidemiological department of the Ukrainian armed forces and one of the organizers of interaction between the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and the Department of Threat Reduction Agency of the US Department of Defense (DITRA).







Previously named participants included officials from the US Department of Defense, US biotech companies and Pentagon contractors, he added.


Moscow has information that the US has been developing mRNA vaccines that cause concomitant diseases and serious complications at the expense of the US Department of the Treasury since 2017, Kirillov said.


"According to available information, the development of vaccines of this type [mRNA vaccines] has been funded by the US state budget since 2017, and by the time commercially available drugs appeared, it was clear that they could cause the development of concomitant diseases and serious complications," Kirillov told reporters.


"It was also proposed to treat the side effects of vaccination with drugs from Pfizer and Moderna companies, which have already received multibillion-dollar government contracts. This approach allows US pharmaceutical manufacturers to fully use the emergence of new pathogens to their advantage and receive unlimited profits," Kirillov added.


Not a single fact about US dual-purpose biological research, which was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense, has been denied by Washington, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov added.


"It should be noted that none of the facts voiced by the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the conduct of dual-purpose research by the United States has been questioned or denied. In an attempt to justify Washington, there are statements that all work is carried out in the national interests of the United States and is aimed at ensuring global biosecurity," Kirillov told reporters.


The ministry has repeatedly noted the potential risks of "dual-use programs" that are being implemented by the United States, both on its territory and abroad.


The health ministry of one of the countries of Central Africa is studying a possibility of the artificial spread of the Ebola virus in September 2022 by US military biologists, Kirillov said.








"The health ministry of one of the states of Central Africa is studying a possibility of the artificial spread of the Ebola virus in September 2022. The concern is caused by the fact that the isolated strain of Sudan is completely identical to the virus that circulated in Africa during the 2012 epidemic," Kirillov told reporters.





One of the versions suggests "careless handling of pathogens by US military biologists who carried out work in this region," the official added.


Earlier, Russia submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council for consideration. According to the document, the Security Council would decide "to form a commission consisting of all members of the Security Council to investigate the claims presented in the complaint of the Russian Federation against the United States and Ukraine regarding their compliance with obligations under the Convention in the context of the activities of biological laboratories in Ukraine." The resolution was not adopted due to lack of votes.


During its special military operation in Ukraine, Russia says it has discovered a network of more than 30 biological laboratories in Ukraine. According to Kirillov, the Pentagon has been running secret biolabs in Ukraine for years, researching highly dangerous pathogens and exporting biological samples in breach of the BWC.


Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in DPR — top brass

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in DPR — top brass

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in DPR — top brass




©Russian Defence Ministry/TASS






Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Friday.







"In the area of the settlement of Petropavlovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, a Ukrainian S-300 surface-to-air missile system was struck," the spokesman said.


In the past 24 hours, Russian forces struck 83 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 127 areas, the general said.



Kupyansk direction



Russian artillery struck Ukrainian manpower and equipment in the Kupyansk area, eliminating about 40 enemy troops over the past day, Konashenkov reported.


"In the Kupyansk direction, artillery of the western battlegroup struck the enemy’s manpower in areas near the settlements of Stelmakhovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Gryanikovka, Sinkovka and Timkovka in the Kharkov Region," the spokesman said.


As many as 40 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles were destroyed in that area in the past 24 hours, the general specified.



Krasny Liman direction



Russian forces destroyed roughly 120 Ukrainian troops and four pieces of equipment in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.


"In the Krasny Liman direction, artillery fire and strikes by the missile forces of the battlegroup Center inflicted damage on the enemy units," the spokesman said.


The enemy’s losses in that area in the past 24 hours amounted to "120 Ukrainian personnel, two pickup trucks, a D-30 howitzer, and also a US-made M777 artillery system," the general specified.







Donetsk direction



Russian forces supported by combat aircraft and artillery eliminated over 120 Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.


"In the Donetsk direction, over 120 Ukrainian troops, seven armored combat vehicles, three motor vehicles, D-20 and D-30 howitzers and a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of the continued active operations by units of the southern battlegroup, air strikes and artillery fire," the spokesman said.


Southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions Russian forces destroyed over 50 Ukrainian troops in the southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas over the past day, Konashenkov reported.


Operational/tactical and army aviation and artillery of the battlegroup East used combined firepower to inflict damage on the Ukrainian army units near the settlements of Ugledar in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Gulyaipole, Preobrazhenka and Shcherbaki in the Zaporozhye Region, the spokesman said.


"Over 50 Ukrainian personnel, one tank, three pickup trucks and also a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in those areas in the past 24 hours," the general specified.



Kherson direction



Russian forces destroyed 20 Ukrainian troops and a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery gun in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.


"In the Kherson direction, as many as 20 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles and also a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system were destroyed in the past 24 hours as a result of damage inflicted on the enemy," the spokesman said.










Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukrainian Su-27 fighter



Russia’s Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 fighter jet in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.


"Fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 plane near the community of Maryinka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.



Russian air defenses down nine HIMARS rockets



Russian air defense forces shot down nine HIMARS rockets and destroyed seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, Konashenkov reported.


"In the past 24 hours, air defense capabilities shot down nine rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and destroyed seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Sinkovka in the Kharkov Region, Rusin Yar, Stepnoye, Staromayorskoye, Vladimirovka and Ugledar in the Donetsk People’s Republic, and also Pologi in the Zaporozhye Region," the spokesman said.



Russian forces destroy 400 Ukrainian warplanes since start of military operation



Russian forces have destroyed 400 Ukrainian warplanes since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov reported.


"In all, the following targets have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation: 400 aircraft, 218 helicopters, 3,373 unmanned aerial vehicles, 411 surface-to-air missile systems, 8,249 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,055 multiple rocket launchers, 4,315 field artillery guns and mortars and 8,830 special military motor vehicles," the spokesman said.


Ukraine Crisis Could Become New Hundred Years' War if West's Arms Aid Doesn't Stop, Le Pen Warns

Ukraine Crisis Could Become New Hundred Years' War if West's Arms Aid Doesn't Stop, Le Pen Warns

Ukraine Crisis Could Become New Hundred Years' War if West's Arms Aid Doesn't Stop, Le Pen Warns




©Photo : Public Domain






The United States and its allies sent well over $100 billion in military and economic assistance to Ukraine in 2022, and have announced billions in new aid over the first months of 2023. Moscow has warned repeatedly that support for Kiev risks turning the Russia-NATO “proxy conflict” in Ukraine into a global conflagration.







The West’s decision to continue arming Ukraine threatens to turn the conflict into a long and brutal conflagration, French opposition leader Marine Le Pen has warned.


“There aren’t fifty different solutions; apart from a peace agreement, all the rest will be bad. Ukraine will not be able to win unless NATO comes to its aid. But if NATO enters the conflict on Ukraine’s side, the whole world will be at war. China will likely also enter the conflict,” the senior National Rally politician said in an interview with French radio on Thursday.


“If we continue to send weapons – which we don’t have, by the way, depriving our own army, then what we have before us is a Hundred Years’ War,” Le Pen warned, referencing the brutal series of conflicts between France and England during the Middle Ages between 1337 and 1453, which cost the lives of between 2.3 and 3.3 million people, and culminated in England’s loss of nearly all of its continental European possessions.


The politician reiterated her previously voiced call to take the delivery of “offensive weapons” to Ukraine off the table due to the danger they pose in escalating the crisis. “The supply of offensive weapons worries us, because it could become an element contributing to the escalation of the territorial conflict into a global one,” she said.


Le Pen also urged Paris to take the lead organizing a peace conference, and to take part in searching for a negotiated settlement, including by putting pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to come to the negotiating table.


France has sent hundreds of millions of euros’ worth of military equipment to Kiev over the past year, including advanced anti-tank, anti-air and anti-ship missiles, heavy self-propelled artillery, armored fighting vehicles and light tanks known as the AMX-10 RC, plus landmines banned by the Geneva Conventions, radars, and more. Paris has also provided Kiev access to its French satellite intelligence, and has reportedly deployed “dozens” of intelligence agents to the Eastern European country.







French President Emmanuel Macron has touted himself as a potential top peace negotiator in the Ukrainian crisis, engaging in back-and-forth shuttle diplomacy before the long-running Donbass crisis going back to 2014 escalated into the current conflict in February of the 2022. Macron has recently taken a more aggressive approach, however, saying Paris will not rule out any arms supplies to Kiev, including Leclerc heavy tanks and aircraft.


Marine Le Pen became the runner up in last year’s presidential elections in France, taking about 41.5 percent of the vote in the runoff vote. The politician has repeatedly taken aim at the delivery of French heavy weapons to Kiev, and condemned France’s “inappropriate, reckless” sanctions against Russia amid soaring global energy prices.


Le Pen’s National Rally party filed a motion of no confidence in the French government last month to protest its controversial pension reform plans. Hundreds of thousands of French men and women have spent weeks protesting the reforms, announced in January, paralyzing the country in rolling strikes.