War in Ukraine Mr Melenchon being for peace is not

War in Ukraine: Mr. Mélenchon, being for peace is not enough

Contribution by Thomas Legrand

Article reserved for subscribers

War between Ukraine and Russia The position of the rebel leader on Russian aggression in Ukraine has developed positively, but is not yet clear enough. In light of Putin’s crimes, why shouldn’t we say more clearly that, in the name of democracy, we want the Ukrainians to win and we must contribute to it?

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the facts have constantly contradicted Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s geostrategic vision. It must be admitted that the leader of La France insoumise (LFI) is gradually adapting to reality. But if he wants to one day represent the entire left in the presidential election, or if he wants to have one of his own, his position needs to be even clearer. On France 2 on January 11, Jean-Luc Mélenchon said that it was necessary to find ways to bring peace “at all costs”. But at the same time he agreed that (apart from Crimea anyway…) this would only be possible after the Russians left Ukrainian territory. And therein lies the vagueness of this position.

Victory for Ukraine, a goal to pursue

If you want peace after the invader retreats, you want victory for the invaders. If we want the victory of one of the two parties, that is, if we are not neutral (and Jean-Luc Mélenchon himself makes the distinction between non-aligned and neutral), then we are not for peace at all costs, but at the expense of the victory of one of the two belligerents. Being for peace is an insufficient principle that everyone subscribes to. The Russian Army and