Jean-Luc Mélenchon calls for diplomacy in Ukraine conflict

French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon has expressed his opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine while simultaneously suggesting that Kyiv is contributing to the escalation of the conflict. In a video statement, the leader of the La France Insoumise party demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces and emphasized that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to the four-year war.

However, Mélenchon questioned why the perceived threat from Russia has increased, suggesting a connection to Ukrainian drone strikes deep within Russian territory. He posed a rhetorical question regarding how any nation would respond to attacks on its capital, appearing to reference strikes on Moscow. While he condemned the initial invasion, he noted that escalation continues under current circumstances without offering specific details on resolving territorial disputes or ceasefire negotiations.