Three years after the start of the war in Ukraine, on March 3, 2025, France's Assemblée Nationale unanimously voiced its support for Kyiv, marking a significant step amid increasing global tensions. During the session, Prime Minister François Bayrou addressed lawmakers, emphasizing the gravity of the conflict and the need for solidarity with Ukraine.
Prior to the debate, Bayrou reflected on the recent altercation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump, which took place at the White House on February 28, 2025. He described the encounter as "a staggering scene, marked by brutality and humiliation" for the Ukrainian president, asserting, "But President Zelensky didn't give in, and I think we can be grateful to him." His sentiments were met with applause from the assembled French lawmakers.
The Prime Minister encapsulated the shift of paradigms prompted by the invasion of Ukraine by Russian tanks on February 24, 2022, describing it as "a tipping point between two worlds." He held up this date as significant, noting the changes it heralded for international relations and norms.
Before this invasion, Bayrou stated, safeguards among nations could be invoked—treaties could be upheld, resolutions referred to, and commitments reviewed. Yet, the Russian action and the political dynamics surrounding Trump's return to power have forced Western democracies to confront uncomfortable realities.
"From now on, force alone, violence, and brutality is enough to settle conflicts," Bayrou lamented, bemoaning what he called "the end of the law of the just, the reign of the law of the strongest." His dire assessment underscored the anxiety felt within Europe and beyond as old norms of diplomacy and respect for national sovereignty appear increasingly fragile.
The dialogue within the Assemblée Nationale serves as both support for Ukraine and as reflection on the broader aspects of European security. The French government has committed to uphold its position, rallying other nations to join in this call for unity against aggression.
Overall, Prime Minister Bayrou’s words resonate as Spain and other European nations continue to bolster their defenses and prepare for possible escalations. By ensuring legislative and diplomatic support for Kyiv, France asserts itself as a leading voice advocating for stronger ties among European states and solidarity against threats posed by authoritarian regimes.
With the specter of conflict looming ever larger, the announcement from France's Assemblée Nationale reaffirms the country's commitment to democratic principles and human rights. The ramifications of these exchanges will likely shape the discourse surrounding European and international policy as nations assess their roles and responsibilities on the global stage.