{"id":2204287,"date":"2026-10-17T07:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T04:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2204287"},"modified":"2026-10-17T07:00:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T04:00:24","slug":"no-money-for-ukraine-and-eu-budget-cuts-what-could-a-le-pen-victory-mean-for-the-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2204287","title":{"rendered":"No money for Ukraine and EU budget cuts: What could a Le Pen victory mean for the EU?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/35\/28\/1200x675_cmsv2_2545eead-e301-5487-97ff-0d3879ec968f-9953528.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2934524-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2934524\" data-cid=\"9956689\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934524-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/66\/89\/189x106_cmsv2_cb17fd8e-b0bf-58f9-9b46-4366f40e6e60-9956689.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Image shared by Dutch MEP Sebastian Kruis\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Protesters clash with police in Belgium as demonstrations sweep Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934544-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2934544\" data-cid=\"9956733\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934544-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/67\/33\/189x106_cmsv2_1600572a-a79a-546b-83cd-a26dbdec756e-9956733.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"An Israeli settler runs around a Palestinian-Bedouin compound belonging to Kaabneh family on the outskirts of the West Bank town of Taybeh, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934519-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2934519\" data-cid=\"9956672\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934519-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/66\/72\/189x106_cmsv2_4ea16ee9-d05e-5c1f-ad80-f4d42bfa06b5-9956672.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Euronews&apos; Correspondent in Paris Estelle Nilsson-Julien reporting in Paris after she and her cameraman were attacked for filming looters, Saturday, 17 Oct. 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;They hit and robbed us,&#8217; say Euronews crew in Paris after assault\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934531-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2934531\" data-cid=\"9956696\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934531-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/66\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_b1062fb3-b415-511e-a395-3efed2d89079-9956696.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A protesters holds a French flag during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students&apos; grievances, in Lyon, France, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Protesters storm town hall and clash with police in France\u2019s Marseille\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            No money for Ukraine and EU budget cuts: What could a Le Pen victory mean for the EU?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/35\/28\/1536x864_cmsv2_2545eead-e301-5487-97ff-0d3879ec968f-9953528.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE: The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen delivers her speech in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, 13 September 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FILE: The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen delivers her speech in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, 13 September 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspEstelle Nilsson-Julien\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1792220424\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-10-17 09:00:24 +02:00\">17\/10\/2026 &#8211; 9:00 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div 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height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Le Pen is campaigning on a platform that would reshape France\u2019s relationship with the EU ahead of the 2027 presidential election, potentially setting Paris on a collision course with Brussels with far-reaching implications.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, is seeking to become France\u2019s next president on a hardline anti-EU platform, pledging to cut the country\u2019s contributions to the EU budget and end funding for Ukraine.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On Ukraine, Le Pen has repeatedly pledged to end financial assistance. Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, she said that if elected, France could only sustain funding for six months because of the \u201cperilous\u201d state of its public finances.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis funding will stop, and it is a matter of honesty to tell [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy] the truth,\u201d she told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy hit back in an interview with the <em>Financial Times<\/em> on Thursday. \u201cThe price to pay is not as high as the value of people\u2019s lives,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is why I think Ms Le Pen is not fully familiar with certain details.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added that, if Le Pen were elected president, she should have access to \u201cthe most powerful European system that works\u201d, stressing that Ukraine\u2019s battlefield experience could benefit European countries.<\/p>\n<p>Le Pen has also called for an end to EU sanctions against Russia, while saying France could continue training Ukrainian troops and supplying military equipment to Kyiv.<\/p>\n<p>Her comments signal that Le Pen is prepared to take a hardline stance, pledging to end French funding for Ukraine in a position similar to that of US President Donald Trump. <\/p>\n<p>Her stance also contrasts sharply with that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is often compared to Le Pen but has advocated continued support for Kyiv.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking in the Italian Senate on Wednesday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Meloni delivered a forceful defence of Ukraine\u2019s right to self-defence.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSupporting Ukraine is not an alternative to peace, it\u2019s what makes it possible,\u201d Meloni said. \u201cThe peace we want is one that is sustainable, just and also safeguards Europe and our interests.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTherefore, the position of this government will not change: support for Ukraine, pressure on Russia and Euro-Atlantic unity.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018France\u2019s support for Ukraine goes far beyond aid\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cFrance\u2019s support for Ukraine goes far beyond aid alone. It is primarily diplomatic,\u201d Elie Tenenbaum, director of the French Institute of International Relations\u2019 Centre for Security Studies, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>He highlighted France\u2019s leading role in initiatives such as the Coalition of the Willing, launched alongside the United Kingdom, as well as other mechanisms that \u201chelp keep Ukraine afloat\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>These include the \u20ac90 billion Ukraine Support Loan (USL), whose implementation and disbursement depend on the political backing of major countries, including France.<\/p>\n<p>Tenenbaum stressed that cuts to EU-level funding would have a greater impact on Ukraine than a reduction in France\u2019s bilateral aid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf France were not only to stop providing bilateral aid and contributing to the EU budget, but also to actively oppose these kinds of mechanisms, then the entire framework of European assistance to Ukraine would be put at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to figures from the German think tank Kiel Institute, France has committed an estimated \u20ac27 billion to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. This includes \u20ac7.9 billion in bilateral aid and \u20ac19 billion through European mechanisms.<\/p>\n<p>Germany remains Europe\u2019s largest provider of aid to Ukraine in absolute terms, having pledged more than \u20ac50 billion since February 2022, well ahead of France, Italy and the Netherlands. Relative to GDP, however, Denmark and Estonia provide the highest levels of bilateral aid.<\/p>\n<h2>Cutting France\u2019s contributions to the EU budget<\/h2>\n<p>With six months to go before France\u2019s presidential election, Le Pen is campaigning on a platform centred on tighter immigration controls, greater national sovereignty and measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, as rising fuel prices fuel public discontent.<\/p>\n<p>Her party has backed capping France\u2019s net contribution to the EU budget at \u20ac5 billion a year, down from \u20ac8 billion, according to figures published by the French Senate. Such a move would mark a departure from recent years, during which France\u2019s contributions have generally increased, despite annual fluctuations.<\/p>\n<p>Under President Emmanuel Macron, France has backed a larger EU budget, unlike countries such as Germany, which favour tighter spending limits. Paris has also called for new EU own resources, meaning additional sources of revenue beyond member state contributions.<\/p>\n<p>Although France is a net contributor to the EU budget, it also receives substantial funding for its farmers through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrance stands out among the major contributors as it is the only one that has so far supported an ambitious EU budget,\u201d Eulalia Rubio, a senior research fellow at the Jacques Delors Institute, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>She said Le Pen\u2019s proposals reflected a \u201clack of understanding\u201d of EU institutions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSpending varies slightly every year, so you can\u2019t say, \u2018We\u2019re only going to pay \u20ac5 billion every year from now on\u2019,\u201d she commented.<\/p>\n<p>Rubio warned that if France overcame the legal obstacles to cutting its contributions, other member states would have to make up the shortfall. Such a prospect could prove particularly contentious given that France is the largest recipient of farming subsidies.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, France\u2019s National Assembly rejected the National Rally\u2019s proposal to unilaterally reduce the country\u2019s contributions to the EU budget for 2027, instead backing the government\u2019s planned level of funding.<\/p>\n<p>Thierry Chopin, an adjunct professor of European studies at Sorbonne University, said a National Rally victory could mark a break with France\u2019s traditional role as a driving force within the EU and with the \u201cintellectual contributions championed by Paris\u201d in recent years, which had gained traction in response to global events.<\/p>\n<p>Chopin pointed to France\u2019s role in promoting European sovereignty, strategic autonomy in defence and trade protection measures. However, he said France\u2019s influence had waned during Macron\u2019s second term as its economic credibility declined.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis credibility was not particularly strong to begin with, but it has worsened given the country\u2019s budgetary situation, public debt and the difficulties facing its public finances. And then, once again, there are political considerations, because the executive branch has been weakened,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h2>EU budget for 2028-2034<\/h2>\n<p>Speaking to the <em>Financial Times<\/em> on Wednesday, Le Pen described efforts to reach an agreement on the EU\u2019s 2028-2034 budget by the end of 2026 as &#8220;anti-democratic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>She accused the European Commission of undermining \u201cdemocratic processes\u201d by advancing the budget ahead of elections in France, Spain, Italy and Poland.<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the vote, Macron has moved to secure key positions, including at the central bank, by appointing allies. On Thursday, the French president told EU leaders during a closed-door meeting that Paris favours reaching a deal this year.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the timeline, Le Pen is also focused on the substance of the EU budget. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, she said she hoped to \u201cbuild new coalitions\u201d with like-minded parties to challenge what she described as an anti-growth mindset in Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>She also suggested that the European Central Bank (ECB), led by Christine Lagarde, should revise its mandate to give greater weight to economic growth. The ECB is independent and its primary mandate is to maintain price stability.<\/p>\n<p>Experts told Euronews they are sceptical that member states would support another major overhaul of EU fiscal rules following the sweeping reform of the Stability and Growth Pact in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn my view, member states show little appetite for another major reform,\u201d Andreas Eisl, a senior research fellow in European economic policy at the Jacques Delors Institute, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>He added that \u201cfuture changes are likely to involve reinterpretations of the existing rules rather than a fundamental overhaul of their legal foundations\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Le Pen has repeatedly criticised EU regulations and standards, describing them as \u201cregulatory hell\u201d or a \u201cregulatory shantytown\u201d, and has pledged to strip them back to the bare minimum. Such an approach could undermine the bloc\u2019s legal framework if adopted across member states.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously, if every member state does this, the EU can no longer function as a union based on the rule of law,\u201d Chopin said.<\/p>\n<p>The National Rally leader has also vowed to \u201cstop\u201d the European Green Deal, the EU\u2019s flagship programme to cut emissions and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.<\/p>\n<p>Le Pen argues that the Green Deal undermines economic growth. She has also proposed abolishing institutions such as the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), an advisory body representing local and regional authorities involved in implementing EU policies, including climate measures.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe dismantling of the European Green Deal is already underway. If Marine Le Pen were to be elected, this would only be further accentuated, according to certain analyses,\u201d Phuc-Vinh Nguyen, head of the Energy Centre at the Jacques Delors Institute, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p><em>Maria Tadeo contributed to this report<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Le Pen lands in Brussels lashing out at the European Commission<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  &#8216;I have complete confidence in Jordan&#8217;: Le Pen backs Bardella after three days of silence<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Kremlin dismisses warnings from France\u2019s Le Pen and Bardella, saying Russia poses &#8216;no threat&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Marine Le Pen<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  National Rally (France)<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  France<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Europe<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934519-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934519\" data-cid=\"9956672\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934519-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/66\/72\/320x180_cmsv2_4ea16ee9-d05e-5c1f-ad80-f4d42bfa06b5-9956672.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Euronews&apos; Correspondent in Paris Estelle Nilsson-Julien reporting in Paris after she and her cameraman were attacked for filming looters, Saturday, 17 Oct. 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;They hit and robbed us,&#8217; say Euronews crew in Paris after assault<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934453-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934453\" data-cid=\"9956480\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934453-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/64\/80\/320x180_cmsv2_ddf7af37-263e-5c57-8fca-50d2dcd3ee72-9956480.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A protester holds a French flag at Republic Square during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students&apos; grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;We are here to help,&#8217; say yellow vests on joining student protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article 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unveils new Tesla Roadster that can fly<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933912-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933912\" data-cid=\"9953528\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Ukraine aid and EU budget cuts: What does Le Pen mean for the EU?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934422-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934422\" data-cid=\"9956346\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump signs executive order waiving new Russia sanctions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934254-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934254\" data-cid=\"9955180\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Dozens detained as protesters clash with security forces across Paris<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934149-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934149\" data-cid=\"9954506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The world\u2019s 10 best countries to live in \u2013 and six are in Europe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, is seeking to become France\u2019s next president on a hardline anti-EU platform, pledging to cut the country\u2019s contributions to the EU budget and end funding for Ukraine.On Ukraine, Le Pen has repeatedly pledged to end financial assistance. Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, she said that if elected, France could only sustain funding for six months because of the \u201cperilous\u201d state of its public finances.\u201cThis funding will stop, and it is a matter of honesty to tell [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy] the truth,\u201d she told Euronews.Zelenskyy hit back in an interview with the Financial Times on Thursday. \u201cThe price to pay is not as high as the value of people\u2019s lives,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is why I think Ms Le Pen is not fully familiar with certain details.\u201dHe added that, if Le Pen were elected president, she should have access to \u201cthe most powerful European system that works\u201d, stressing that Ukraine\u2019s battlefield experience could benefit European countries.Le Pen has also called for an end to EU sanctions against Russia, while saying France could continue training Ukrainian troops and supplying military equipment to Kyiv.Her comments signal that Le Pen is prepared to take a hardline stance, pledging to end French funding for Ukraine in a position similar to that of US President Donald Trump.Her stance also contrasts sharply with that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is often compared to Le Pen but has advocated continued support for Kyiv.Speaking in the Italian Senate on Wednesday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Meloni delivered a forceful defence of Ukraine\u2019s right to self-defence.\u201cSupporting Ukraine is not an alternative to peace, it\u2019s what makes it possible,\u201d Meloni said. \u201cThe peace we want is one that is sustainable, just and also safeguards Europe and our interests.\u201cTherefore, the position of this government will not change: support for Ukraine, pressure on Russia and Euro-Atlantic unity.\u201d\u2018France\u2019s support for Ukraine goes far beyond aid\u2019\u201cFrance\u2019s support for Ukraine goes far beyond aid alone. It is primarily diplomatic,\u201d Elie Tenenbaum, director of the French Institute of International Relations\u2019 Centre for Security Studies, told Euronews.He highlighted France\u2019s leading role in initiatives such as the Coalition of the Willing, launched alongside the United Kingdom, as well as other mechanisms that \u201chelp keep Ukraine afloat\u201d.These include the \u20ac90 billion Ukraine Support Loan (USL), whose implementation and disbursement depend on the political backing of major countries, including France.Tenenbaum stressed that cuts to EU-level funding would have a greater impact on Ukraine than a reduction in France\u2019s bilateral aid.\u201cIf France were not only to stop providing bilateral aid and contributing to the EU budget, but also to actively oppose these kinds of mechanisms, then the entire framework of European assistance to Ukraine would be put at risk.\u201dAccording to figures from the German think tank Kiel Institute, France has committed an estimated \u20ac27 billion to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. This includes \u20ac7.9 billion in bilateral aid and \u20ac19 billion through European mechanisms.Germany remains Europe\u2019s largest provider of aid to Ukraine in absolute terms, having pledged more than \u20ac50 billion since February 2022, well ahead of France, Italy and the Netherlands. Relative to GDP, however, Denmark and Estonia provide the highest levels of bilateral aid.Cutting France\u2019s contributions to the EU budgetWith six months to go before France\u2019s presidential election, Le Pen is campaigning on a platform centred on tighter immigration controls, greater national sovereignty and measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, as rising fuel prices fuel public discontent.Her party has backed capping France\u2019s net contribution to the EU budget at \u20ac5 billion a year, down from \u20ac8 billion, according to figures published by the French Senate. Such a move would mark a departure from recent years, during which France\u2019s contributions have generally increased, despite annual fluctuations.Under President Emmanuel Macron, France has backed a larger EU budget, unlike countries such as Germany, which favour tighter spending limits. Paris has also called for new EU own resources, meaning additional sources of revenue beyond member state contributions.Although France is a net contributor to the EU budget, it also receives substantial funding for its farmers through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).\u201cFrance stands out among the major contributors as it is the only one that has so far supported an ambitious EU budget,\u201d Eulalia Rubio, a senior research fellow at the Jacques Delors Institute, told Euronews.She said Le Pen\u2019s proposals reflected a \u201clack of understanding\u201d of EU institutions.\u201cSpending varies slightly every year, so you can\u2019t say, \u2018We\u2019re only going to pay \u20ac5 billion every year from now on\u2019,\u201d she commented.Rubio warned that if France overcame the legal obstacles to cutting its contributions, other member states would have to make up the shortfall. Such a prospect could prove particularly contentious given that France is the largest recipient of farming subsidies.On Wednesday, France\u2019s National Assembly rejected the National Rally\u2019s proposal to unilaterally reduce the country\u2019s contributions to the EU budget for 2027, instead backing the government\u2019s planned level of funding.Thierry Chopin, an adjunct professor of European studies at Sorbonne University, said a National Rally victory could mark a break with France\u2019s traditional role as a driving force within the EU and with the \u201cintellectual contributions championed by Paris\u201d in recent years, which had gained traction in response to global events.Chopin pointed to France\u2019s role in promoting European sovereignty, strategic autonomy in defence and trade protection measures. However, he said France\u2019s influence had waned during Macron\u2019s second term as its economic credibility declined.\u201cThis credibility was not particularly strong to begin with, but it has worsened given the country\u2019s budgetary situation, public debt and the difficulties facing its public finances. And then, once again, there are political considerations, because the executive branch has been weakened,\u201d he said.EU budget for 2028-2034Speaking to the Financial Times on Wednesday, Le Pen described efforts to reach an agreement on the EU\u2019s 2028-2034 budget by the end of 2026 as &#8220;anti-democratic.&#8221;She accused the European Commission of undermining \u201cdemocratic processes\u201d by advancing the budget ahead of elections in France, Spain, Italy and Poland.Ahead of the vote, Macron has moved to secure key positions, including at the central bank, by appointing allies. On Thursday, the French president told EU leaders during a closed-door meeting that Paris favours reaching a deal this year.Beyond the timeline, Le Pen is also focused on the substance of the EU budget. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, she said she hoped to \u201cbuild new coalitions\u201d with like-minded parties to challenge what she described as an anti-growth mindset in Brussels.She also suggested that the European Central Bank (ECB), led by Christine Lagarde, should revise its mandate to give greater weight to economic growth. The ECB is independent and its primary mandate is to maintain price stability.Experts told Euronews they are sceptical that member states would support another major overhaul of EU fiscal rules following the sweeping reform of the Stability and Growth Pact in 2024.\u201cIn my view, member states show little appetite for another major reform,\u201d Andreas Eisl, a senior research fellow in European economic policy at the Jacques Delors Institute, told Euronews.He added that \u201cfuture changes are likely to involve reinterpretations of the existing rules rather than a fundamental overhaul of their legal foundations\u201d.Le Pen has repeatedly criticised EU regulations and standards, describing them as \u201cregulatory hell\u201d or a \u201cregulatory shantytown\u201d, and has pledged to strip them back to the bare minimum. Such an approach could undermine the bloc\u2019s legal framework if adopted across member states.\u201cObviously, if every member state does this, the EU can no longer function as a union based on the rule of law,\u201d Chopin said.The National Rally leader has also vowed to \u201cstop\u201d the European Green Deal, the EU\u2019s flagship programme to cut emissions and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.Le Pen argues that the Green Deal undermines economic growth. She has also proposed abolishing institutions such as the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), an advisory body representing local and regional authorities involved in implementing EU policies, including climate measures.\u201cThe dismantling of the European Green Deal is already underway. If Marine Le Pen were to be elected, this would only be further accentuated, according to certain analyses,\u201d Phuc-Vinh Nguyen, head of the Energy Centre at the Jacques Delors Institute, told Euronews.Maria Tadeo contributed to this report<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/17\/no-money-for-ukraine-and-eu-budget-cuts-what-could-a-le-pen-victory-mean-for-the-eu&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/35\/28\/1200x675_cmsv2_2545eead-e301-5487-97ff-0d3879ec968f-9953528.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Protesters clash with police in Belgium as demonstrations sweep Europe Europe News Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank Europe News &#8216;They hit and robbed us,&#8217; say Euronews crew in Paris after assault World Protesters storm town hall and clash with police in France\u2019s Marseille Europe Europe News [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2204287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2204287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2204287"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2204287\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2204287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2204287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2204287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}