Marine Le Pen vows to cut French aid to Ukraine after election

Marine Le Pen has pledged to halt French financial aid to Ukraine six months after a potential presidential election victory, citing strained public finances. The far-right candidate made the statement Wednesday in an interview with Belgian broadcaster VRT in Brussels. Le Pen said aid would continue for six months after her election "to not put anyone in a difficult position," but would then stop because "France no longer has the means." She justified the move by claiming France is "on the brink of default" on its public debt, adding that Kyiv could seek support from other EU countries in better financial shape. The French presidential election's first round is scheduled for April 18 next year, with a runoff on May 2. Le Pen framed her position as "honest" toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying she was not betraying anyone.