Kremlin Watches and Waits: Russian Officials Respond to First Round of French Elections

Following the first round of legislative elections in France, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated that they are awaiting the second round but have a clear idea of French voters’ preferences. Russian officials have linked the results of the French elections with upcoming elections in the United Kingdom and the United States, both key allies of Ukraine.

Speaker of the Duma Vyacheslav Volodin remarked on the defeats suffered by leaders in power, referencing Joe Biden’s performance in a debate with Donald Trump and Macron’s party coming in third in the legislative elections. Despite these results, Russian officials and political scientists don’t anticipate a significant change in French support for Ukraine. Vice-president of the Foreign Affairs Committee Vladimir Djabarov stated that improved relations between Paris and Moscow are not expected post-election.

The Kremlin has taken note of the National Rally’s success in the legislative elections, a far-right party that has faced accusations of being influenced by Moscow due to financial connections. President of the National Rally Jordan Bardella has promised vigilance against Russian interference but assured that French support for Ukraine remains steadfast. Additionally, President of France Emmanuel Macron has advocated for using Western weapons to counter Russian military aggression in Ukraine.

Critics have pointed out the National Rally’s pro-Russian stance, with allegations of close ties to Moscow and serving as a relay of Russian discourse. Some candidates from the National Rally have been observers in elections organized by Russia, raising concerns about the party’s alignment with Russian interests. The ongoing debate over the National Rally’s relations with Russia continues to shape discussions on French politics and foreign policy.

In conclusion, while some politicians may view these results as an opportunity to strengthen their positions or weaken those of their opponents, it is clear that Russia is closely monitoring events unfolding around them and using them to further its own agenda.

Furthermore, despite some setbacks for leaders currently in power across Europe, it is unlikely that this will lead to any significant shift away from existing alliances or policies towards Ukraine. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains one