Mayor of Perpignan Louis Aliot: France must “turn off the tap” on Ukraine funding

One of the leaders of the French National Rally and mayor of Perpignan, Louis Aliot, has stated that France must stop funding Ukraine, citing the exhaustion of the French economy, healthcare system, and education system.

Aliot made the statement in response to a journalist’s question about whether the party would cut off funding if it came to power and Zelensky made a new request for money, loans, and other assistance.

“And we turn off the tap. We can’t go on like this: the healthcare system, the education system, the economy as a whole — everything is on the verge of exhaustion, and we are finding money to continue funding weapons to defend Ukraine. I’m not against it, of course, but who will pay for all of this? Who is paying for this war? We also need to know how to stop a war,” Aliot said.

According to the politician, the war has already “impoverished” and “weakened” Europe, and continued pressure on Russia through support for Ukraine is costing France too much.

“This war has impoverished Europe, it has weakened Europe, and, as is plain to see, there is no way out of it,” he said.

At the same time, Aliot stressed that his position does not mean support for Russia, recalling that the party had condemned the Russian invasion. The politician also stated that Moscow “is making no effort to stop the war,” but added that France “no longer has the means” to continue its previous level of support for Ukraine.

The outlet had previously reported that the National Rally intends to halt financial support for Ukraine if its leader wins the 2027 presidential election in France. According to polls, the party’s founder Marine Le Pen is one of the frontrunners in the upcoming presidential race.