Kremlin Hits Back at Le Pen and Bardella

The Kremlin has rejected criticism from France’s National Rally, insisting that Russia poses no threat to France or any other European country.

In a joint statement over the weekend, presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and party president Jordan Bardella said they would “never tolerate a foreign power, in this case, Russia, seeking to dictate, directly or indirectly, the policy of our country through intimidation, threats, destabilization or psychological pressure”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the criticism. “We do not agree with this statement. Russia is not threatening France or any other country in Europe”, he said.

“We have no disputes with any European states that could give rise to any serious disagreements”, Peskov added. “Russia therefore poses no threat whatsoever; it threatens no one and blackmails no one.”

The statement marks a tougher tone from Le Pen and Bardella toward Moscow. National Rally has previously faced criticism over positions regarded by its opponents as conciliatory toward Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

(Reuters, max)