New PM Barnier Vows France Will Continue Standing by Ukraine in Its Fight for Freedom

The new Prime Minister of France, Michel Barnier, emphasized support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression during a keynote speech at the National Assembly, where he presented the main political steps.

Barnier said that Ukrainians defend common values ​​with the French people, so France will remain on Ukraine's side. 

“These are people who, for two and a half years since the beginning of the war of aggression, have been fighting and dying to defend their freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Barnier said in his address on Tuesday, October 1.

“We must understand that they are fighting to defend the values that we also share,” he added.

The head of the French government also said that France will direct efforts to establish peace in everywhere where conflicts are currently ongoing, as the ability of the French to take peace initiatives is respected and accepted by the world.

Barnier began his term on September 5 after the resignation of Gabriel Attal. Before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Barnier had advocated for dialogue with the Kremlin but shifted his stance following the invasion.