from RT.com
A demonstration in Paris on Sunday held by right-wing politician Florian Philippot’s Eurosceptic party denounced NATO, the militarization of Europe, and the French government’s military support for Ukraine.
During its summit this past week, NATO agreed to significantly ramp up military spending, citing the perceived “threat” from Russia. Last month, the EU similarly approved a €150 billion ($171 billion) borrowing mechanism to fund its military buildup. Russia has dismissed notions that it harbors hostile intentions toward Europe.
Sunday’s rally in the French capital had the stated objective of “defending peace and a Free France,” according to the party’s posts on X. The protesters also slammed French President Emmanuel Macron over what they view as his increasingly confrontational policies in Europe.
Addressing the rally, Philippot proclaimed that “we have no place in NATO, this criminal organization that costs us dearly and should have disappeared long ago!”
Philippot, a former member of the European Parliament, also said that “France must leave the EU and NATO as quickly as possible through Frexit!”
Among the slogans emblazoned on the placards and chanted by the demonstrators were “Frexit is another name for Peace” and “The patriots for peace.”
They also denounced the French government’s support for Kiev, insisting that they “don’t want to die for Ukraine.”
Russia now sees the EU as part of the NATO military pact and no longer supports Ukraine’s membership of the EU. Because of Macron, it’s clear that this sentiment has grown in France, too. —Eds