Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), did not attend a high-level meeting at the Elysée Palace on Friday, where President Emmanuel Macron gathered political leaders, military officials, and intelligence experts to discuss international issues, particularly the situation in Ukraine. Instead, Jordan Bardella, the RN’s president, attended on her behalf. The following day, Le Pen and Bardella both strengthened their criticism of Russia’s actions in Europe, a shift from earlier periods when Le Pen had shown political sympathy toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is widely seen as a key moment in this evolution. Le Pen’s absence from the Elysée meeting raised questions about her campaign strategy, but former French ambassador to Russia and analyst Jean de Gliniasty did not view it as a mistake. Bardella was welcomed at the meeting, ensuring the RN had a voice in high-level discussions. Meanwhile, Le Pen and Bardella issued a joint statement condemning Russia’s actions as “hostile” and criticizing its attempts to influence French policy through pressure. This stance contrasts sharply with Le Pen’s earlier comments, such as her 2014 praise for Putin and admiration for Russia’s political system. The RN had also accepted a loan from a Russian bank in 2014, and Le Pen met with Putin at the Kremlin in 2017. In 2020, an RN member of the European Parliament even praised a Russian constitutional referendum as a “lesson in democracy.” The invasion of Ukraine appears to have prompted a recalibration of the RN’s position, with Le Pen rejecting the label of being pro-Russian and Bardella acknowledging a “collective naivety” about Putin in 2023. Despite this shift, questions remain about the party’s long-term stance. RN vice president Louis Aliot recently suggested the party might reduce financial aid to Ukraine if it wins power, sparking debate about its alignment with Russia. Le Pen, meanwhile, has called for a “great peace conference” to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. She has stated that France can no longer support Ukraine financially at its current level but could still provide military equipment or training. This approach reflects the RN’s sovereignist ideology, aiming to balance condemnation of Russia with a desire for dialogue and a more measured engagement with the country. Analysts suggest the party now criticizes the invasion but maintains a nuanced, strategic relationship with Moscow.