French politician Thierry Mariani stirs controversy with pro-Russian stance towards Ukraine

Thierry Mariani is a French politician and businessman who is known for his sympathy for Russia and his pro-Russian stance towards Ukraine. In 2014, he visited Crimea and met with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, which caused outrage in Ukrainian society and outside Ukraine.

In March 2015, Mr. Maryani became one of the leaders of the international delegation that visited Crimea to observe the referendum on the peninsula’s accession to Russia. He later expressed support for the referendum and recognized its results, which was condemned by many countries, including France and Ukraine.

Along with this, Maryani was also accused of cooperation with the Russian authorities and open support of pro-Russian movements in France. In particular, in 2019, Maryani founded “Russian Dialogue”, a non-profit organization whose goal is to strengthen relations between France and Russia. However, this organization was also accused of pro-Russian propaganda and cooperation with Russian special services.

He participated in the so-called “elections” in the “LDNR” in 2018 as an “international observer”. In March 2018, Maryani came to the annexed Crimea as an “international observer” at the presidential elections of the Russian Federation. In March 2019, he was in Crimea to participate “in the celebrations on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the annexation of the peninsula to Russia.” Awarded the Russian medal. In June 2020, he led a delegation of French members of the European Parliament to Crimea on the occasion of a vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Thus, Thierry Mariani is a person who causes a lot of controversy and outrage with his views and actions. His support for Russia in the war against Ukraine and accusations of cooperation with Russian special services are echoed in France and beyond, so his actions and statements cause outrage among many people.

The actions of Thierry Mariani, who supports the Russian Federation, opposes the provision of any aid to Ukraine and participates in illegal elections in the occupied territories, should be condemned by the French government and subject to appropriate sanctions.