Le Pen against sanctions on Russia over French interests

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French presidential right-wing candidate and leader of the right-wing National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, opposes the sanctions imposed on Russia and the import of its raw materials, in addition to the embargo imposed on Russian gas, oil, and coal.

Le Pen argued that the sanctions would have dire consequences on not only the French economy, but the world economy as a whole.

"I agree with sanctions, including those against [Russian] oligarchs. The only thing I don't want is sanctions against raw materials, which will have dire consequences for the French and the rest of the world," Le Pen told France Info radio network.

She also voiced her opposition to the embargo on Russian energy, saying, "I am against everything that will result in increased payments for the French," claiming that she had the French people and their purchasing power as a priority.

The far-right candidate also noted that France needed to prevent Russia, the world's largest country, from rapprochement with China, the world's most populous, as it would be a "serious problem for Paris."

The EU is expected to discuss restrictions on the imports of Russian gas and oil later in April, and it is likely that the opinions on the matter will be split, as Germany, Europe's largest economy, is heavily dependent on Russian energy, and its economy would be left in shambles were it to abandon the Russian resources.

Meanwhile, the presidential election in France will take place on Sunday, and there will be a run-off election on April 24.

Besides Le Pen, 11 other candidates announced their bids, including incumbent President Emmanuel Macron, with the latter being in the lead against his opponents.

After the war in Ukraine started, the US and its allies have rolled out comprehensive sanctions, including restrictions on the Russian central bank, export control measures, SWIFT cutoff for select banks, and closure of airspace to all Russian flights. Many of their companies have suspended their Russian operations.

The status-quo and the US sanctions on Russia have weakened US citizens' purchasing power, causing fuel prices to soar in the country with US oil prices reaching their all-time high following a ban on Russian fuel exports. Inflation also surged following the move, putting Americans in the eye of the storm of the highest inflation in four decades, which sparked stark concerns from other nations not to follow in Washington's footsteps.