In a candid address to the European Parliament, French MEP Jean-Paul Garraud (Rassemblement National) called for an urgent pivot toward peace, warning of dire consequences if the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate.
He criticized Western nations, including the United States and France, for actions he believes exacerbate tensions and move the world closer to catastrophe.
“The world is in a period of extreme tension,” Garraud began, emphasizing the urgency of prioritizing peace. “The escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict reminds us that all efforts must focus on achieving a single goal: peace.”
L’escalade du conflit russo-ukrainien nous rappelle l'extrême urgence à parvenir à un seul objectif qui devrait mobiliser toutes les énergies: la Paix.
Une paix négociée, ferme, qui respecte la souveraineté des nations tout en évitant l’irréparable.
Retrouvez mon intervention… pic.twitter.com/Ll2ICJuTlb
— Jean-Paul GARRAUD (@JPGarraud) November 28, 2024
Garraud accused the outgoing U.S. administration of fueling the conflict by enabling Ukraine to strike Russian territory with long-range missiles. “In the United States, a president, out of breath and disavowed by his people, pushes the West toward confrontation,” he said, referencing Ukraine’s swift decision to deploy such missiles.
He expressed grave concern over the European Union’s passive stance and France’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric. “Russia has already responded, preparing its people for the terrifying prospect of nuclear escalation. Meanwhile, the European Union remains inaudible, tied to decisions made across the Atlantic,” Garraud said. He also criticized France’s Foreign Minister for refusing to set limits on military support for Ukraine, including potential missile strikes on Russian soil or the deployment of French troops.
“Peace does not seem to be an option for the head of French diplomacy,” he lamented, calling this stance a “serious mistake.” He warned against blindly following a “bellicose strategy” that leads only to destruction, urging leaders to prioritize negotiation over escalation.
Garraud appealed for courageous leadership that places the welfare of people above geopolitical ambitions. “Peace requires the most heroic work and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war, greater fidelity to truth, and a more perfect purity of conscience,” he said, invoking the words of 20th-century theologian Thomas Merton.
The MEP concluded with a plea to end the “fratricidal war” that has caused so much loss. “Let us make the voice of reason heard—the voice that refuses war and demands a lasting peace. For the future of the world, it’s not too late—yet.”
Garraud’s speech underscores growing calls within the European Parliament for de-escalation and a renewed focus on diplomatic solutions as the conflict continues to strain international relations and raise fears of broader global repercussions.
