Russia accuses West of supplying weapons to French protesters
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday accused the West of supplying weapons to protesters in France that were originally intended for Ukraine.
Zakharova made the accusation during a press briefing in Moscow, saying that the weapons were being used by "nationalists, Nazis, and fascists in Ukraine" and were now being turned against their own people in France.
She argued that the West's policy of encouraging Nazism in Ukraine had resulted in the rise of nationalist radicals across Europe, who feel emboldened by the support and funding they receive, including the shipment of weapons.
According to Zakharova, there are reports suggesting that neo-Nazi groups are directly involved in the riots in France. She questioned whether the Elysee Palace had considered these consequences.
The unrest in France began on June 27 when a 17-year-old driver of Algerian origin was shot and killed by the police in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, after he failed to comply with a stop order. The police officer responsible for the shooting has been apprehended.
The French Foreign Ministry has denied Russian claims that weapons supplied to Ukraine are being used in protests in France.
The protests in France began on June 27 after a 17-year-old driver of Algerian origin was shot and killed by the police in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. The police officer responsible for the shooting has been apprehended.
The protests have been largely peaceful, but there have been some incidents of violence, including the burning of cars and the looting of businesses. The government has deployed thousands of police officers to try to contain the unrest.
The protests have been met with mixed reactions from the French public. Some people have expressed sympathy for the protesters, while others have criticized them for resorting to violence.
The government has said that it is committed to investigating the shooting and that it will hold the police officer responsible accountable. It has also said that it is committed to addressing the underlying causes of the unrest, such as poverty and discrimination. (ILKHA)