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« 2024. # 1 (175)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2024. № 1 (175), 109—118

UDK [94:328.1](44):355.48(470:477)”2014/2023″

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/nz2024.01.109

RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR THROUGH THE WORK OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION OF the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRENCH REPUBLIC (2014—2023)

SYPKO Bogdana

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3136-9340
  • Candidate of History, docent,
  • The Ivan Franko National University of Lviv,
  • Department of Modern and Contemporary History of Foreign Countries,
  • 1, Universytetska str., 79000, Lviv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: е-mail: bogdanasypko@gmail.com

Abstract. Introduction. The Foreign Affairs Commission (Commission des affaires йtrangиres) was one of the eight permanent committees of the French National Assembly and considered issues related to the foreign policy.

Problem Statement. As it was one of the key parliamentary commissions, it was composed of more than 70 deputies representing the entire range of political forces from National Assembly of each legislature.

Purpose is on the basis of minutes of meetings, activity reports and information reports of the Foreign Affairs Commission, analyze how representatives of various political forces treated issues related to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Methods. The general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as special scientific comparative-historical and chronological methods are used in the work. The author adheres to the principle of historicism.

Results. The analysis testifies the growing interest in the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war. But at the initial stage (until February 24, 2022), the French deputies started from the axiom that Russia is a powerful state, a global player on the international arena, without whose energy resources the EU and especially France will not be able to function. Therefore, despite the understanding of the entire complex of Moscow’s problems, they continued to fear it and tried to establish a dialogue by any means. Therefore, assistance to Ukraine was limited to statements, some sanctions and the development of the Minsk agreements through the Normandy format of cooperation. Therefore, even if the members of the Commission expressed support for Ukraine, they emphasized France’s interest in continuing cooperation with Russia. The Foreign Affairs Commission was heterogeneous, and its members held different views. But in general, the tone of the speeches and reports of the majority of deputies is changing  — more and more politicians perceive the prospect of Ukraine’s future membership in the EU and NATO, as well as emphasize the democratic values of Ukrainians. And if until February 24, 2022, Russian politicians were frequent guests of the Foreign Affairs Commission, after that it becomes a sign of a bad tone, instead, cooperation with Ukrainian parliamentarians deepened.

Conclusion. February 24, 2022 was a turning point, as for most members of the Commission, Moscow turned from a center of power into a global threat to European security. Therefore, the rhetoric about the need to find a dialogue with Russia is replaced by the leitmotif about the need to strengthen the French defense capability and help Ukraine, which is restraining this global threat.

Keywords: Foreign Affairs Commission, French Republic, National Assembly, Russian-Ukrainian war, Ukraine.

Received 2.01.2024

REFERENCES

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  • (2017). Information report № 4593 filed by the Foreign Affairs Commission on the activity report of the Foreign Affairs Commission under the XIV legislature (2012—2017) and presented by Ms. Elisabeth Guigou. Paris: Assemblee Nationale [in French].
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