French Parliament backs resolution to support Ukraine, seize frozen Russian assets

Le Figaro reports that 288 MPs voted in favor, while 54 opposed — mostly from the far-left France Insoumise and the Communist Party. Meanwhile, the far-right Rassemblement National abstained.

While largely symbolic, the resolution signals parliamentary pressure on the government, which remains against confiscating Russian assets.

It urges the EU, NATO, and allied nations to "continue and expand political, economic, and military support for Ukraine." French lawmakers also added a call for the EU to "develop an independent European defense."

The text further demands that the EU and its member states "immediately move to seize frozen Russian assets… to fund Ukraine’s military efforts and reconstruction."

Contentious points included the resolution’s push to "halt Russian gas imports" and its stance on French troop deployments to Ukraine in a post-war scenario.

The final text, with amendments, "encourages the French government and European partners to explore the possibility of deploying European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine."

• Earlier, reports indicated that the National Assembly would debate using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.