Le Pen would defer French NATO defence pullback until Ukraine war ends

Marine Le Pen says she would wait until the war in Ukraine ends before seeking to detach France from NATO defence arrangements, but has not abandoned that objective, according to remarks reported by ANP. [1]

The far-right presidential candidate set out her position in remarks to Politico, according to the ANP report published by Nieuws.nl on 24 September 2026. She argued that a war on Europe’s doorstep made this the wrong moment to act, while reaffirming her intention to pursue the change. [1]

ANP also reported that Le Pen had previously wanted to make the change during the first five years of a prospective presidency. The report provided neither a date nor an original source for that earlier position. Her latest reported remarks give no timetable for action after the war ends. [1]