Nathalie Loiseau, the French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Renew party, made significant remarks on March 14, 2025, asserting Vladimir Putin's conditions for peace signal he is not genuinely interested in halting hostilities with Ukraine. Speaking during her appearance on Franceinfo, Loiseau emphasized the dire consequences of Putin's demands, which she said indicate his desire for Ukraine's capitulation.
Prior to her interview, on March 13, Putin had stated the United States' proposal for a truce raised "important questions" and declared himself open to the idea of a ceasefire, albeit with "nuances." Loiseau insisted, "Les conditions mises par Vladimir Poutine montrent qu'il ne veut pas la paix," which translates as, "The conditions imposed by Vladimir Putin show he does not want peace." This sentiment reflects her broader belief about the Russian leader's strategic intentions toward Ukraine.
This tension stems from Putin's insistence on Ukraine ceding four partially occupied regions, alongside Crimea—a territory annexed by Russia back in 2014—while also requiring Ukraine to renounce its NATO aspirations. Discussing this situation, Loiseau argued, "Ce qu'il veut, c'est la capitulation de l'Ukraine," meaning, "What he wants is the capitulation of Ukraine."
Loiseau’s critique wasn't limited to Putin; she also expressed her thoughts on former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom she implies has undermined international diplomatic efforts. With her insight, she mentioned how Trump's previous actions created openings for Putin to demand more. She noted, "Comme Donald Trump a déjà abattu une grande partie de ses cartes sur la table, Vladimir Poutine se dit qu'il peut obtenir encore plus" ("Since Donald Trump has already played most of his cards, Vladimir Putin thinks he can get even more").
Central to Loiseau’s argument is the notion of strengthening Ukraine's position before any negotiations with Russia, urging European nations to advocate for greater military and economic support for Ukraine. She believes this is the only pathway to creating leverage at the negotiation table: "La seule méthode, c'est celle que les Européens ont employé, c'est de mettre l'Ukraine en situation d'être beaucoup plus forte," she asserted.
During the interview, Loiseau passionately discussed her frustration surrounding the current political climate within the EU, particularly focusing on corruption allegations involving members of the European Parliament. Recently, Belgian authorities arrested several individuals related to suspicions of corruption involving the Chinese technology giant, Huawei. Loiseau articulated her sentiments clearly, stating, "Je suis dans une colère noire, si la cupidité de quelques-uns jette l'opprobre sur le dévouement de tous les autres," which can be translated as, "I am filled with black anger if the greed of a few casts a shadow over the dedication of all the others."
This investigation follows another troubling affair, known as the "Qatargate" scandal, which had previously implicated several former members of the socialist party. Amid these political scandals, Loiseau insisted on the importance of restoring credibility within the European governance structures to maintain public trust.
Speaking about the strides made by European nations, she highlighted their diplomatic role, claiming, "La réconciliation Zelensky-Trump après l'incident du Bureau ovale, comme les garanties de sécurité pour l'Ukraine, c'est les Européens," which translates to, "The reconciliation of Zelensky and Trump after the Oval Office incident and the security guarantees for Ukraine are the work of Europeans." This underlined her assertion on the necessity of Europe's behind-the-scenes efforts to pave the way for lasting peace.
Loiseau warned about the broader geopolitical impacts if the U.S. does not support Ukraine effectively: "Si vous abandonnez l'Ukraine, si vous lâchez l'Ukraine, vous donnez à Vladimir Poutine politiquement ce qu'il n'a pas été capable de conquérir militairement," stating, "If you abandon Ukraine, you politically give to Vladimir Putin what he has not succeeded in conquering militarily."
Concluding the interview, Loiseau appealed to European allies to focus on solidifying their support for Ukraine amid rising tensions and not allow internal corruption to cloud innovation and reform within the EU. Her resolve highlights the urgent need for unity among nations, as the fate of Ukraine hangs precariously between military might and diplomatic engagements. The echo of her words reverberates through the corridors of power: European solidarity is not just necessary; it is imperative for peace and stability.