For Ukraine, for their Freedom and Ours ! - CSO
Ukraine in the French electoral debate
Since its founding in 2022, PLU has been challenging French candidates and elected officials at every election—publicly asking them to take a stand on the Russian war of aggression. From opinion pieces published in the national press to personalized questionnaires sent to candidates in the 2026 municipal elections, this action continues to intensify.
Local elections 2026: candidates make commitments on Ukraine
The first level of democratic life and national solidarity is at the municipal level. The Russians have not been mistaken about this: Ukrainian mayors, symbols of resistance, are among the first victims of abduction, torture, or assassination in the occupied territories.
That is why, in February 2026, we mobilized our members to send a questionnaire to the lead candidates regarding their commitments to Ukraine. Nearly 100 candidates were contacted in cities of all sizes across France. Four courses of action were presented to them:
- sponsor an imprisoned or missing Ukrainian civilian;
- to raise awareness among their constituents, via municipal communication, about the fate of Ukrainian prisoners and children deported or forcibly Russified;
- to participate in sending generators and batteries to help civilians survive Russian bombings of energy infrastructure;
- and twin their municipality with a Ukrainian city. They could also mention any other initiative of their choice.
Many responded — and their words matter: whether they report on actions already undertaken or announce concrete initiatives, these local elected officials show that solidarity with Ukraine does not stop at the gates of capital cities.
On the moral duty of local elected officials
Philippe Brun, DVG, Louviers
"Indifference is the accomplice of oppressors; we will refuse this passive complicity."
Christian Ball, Gaullist-sovereignist, Stundwiller
"In this war instigated by a dictator, while two peoples are suffering today, we must never forget that there is only one invader."
Laurent Batt, Stundwiller
"Municipalities have often been, in recent history, places where civic engagement is expressed and support is provided to populations affected by crises."
Johanna Rolland, DVG, Nantes
“Very quickly [after February 24, 2022] we also initiated very concrete actions of solidarity and cooperation.”
On city diplomacy
Romain Laveau, DVG, Angers
“Friendship between peoples can begin at the city level. Decentralized cooperation and advocacy for a fairer world align with our goal of a more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive city.”
Catherine Trautmann, PS, Strasbourg
"Strasbourg, as the European capital, has a unique voice and role to play on the European and international stage."
Romain Gentil, DVG, Grenoble
"We will accelerate the twinning arrangement currently being established between Grenoble and the city of Chernivtsi ."
Dalila Bahmed, The Greens, Clichy
"We believe we can do more by strengthening exchanges and travel to foster solidarity and give a face to those fighting in Ukraine, while also raising awareness among our fellow citizens about the plight of prisoners and deported children."
Emmanuel Grégoire, DVG, Paris
"We are firmly committed to supporting the Ukrainian people in their struggle for freedom, and that of all Europeans, for respect for their sovereignty and for the defense of democracy against the imperialist aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "
Jean-Luc Moudenc, DVD, Toulouse
Toulouse will continue to steadfastly support Ukraine: through concrete actions, lasting partnerships, and a clear political statement because this cause concerns the freedom of Ukrainians, and our own. This solidarity is also rooted in a particular history: Toulouse has been twinned with Kyiv since 1975. (…)”
On the visibility of the Ukrainian reality
Charles Compagnon, Horizons-Renaissance, Rennes
"The situation of the Ukrainian people, who have been facing a war of aggression of unprecedented brutality on European soil for four years, cannot leave us, as local elected officials, indifferent."
David Samzun, DVG, Saint-Nazaire
"The City of Saint-Nazaire has stood by Ukraine for years, a victim of a war started by Russia."
Thierry Miguel, DVG, Limoges
Since the start of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine in 2022, violations of international law, crimes committed against civilian populations and attacks on essential infrastructure have reminded us how central the defense of freedom, democracy and the right of peoples to self-determination is for the European Union and for France.
François Briançon, DVG, Toulouse
“We want no one to forget that beyond the tally of victims of the large-scale invasion led by Russia, there are lives and families who are suffering and will continue to suffer lasting trauma. We therefore wish to (...) demonstrate our solidarity and exert pressure, on our scale, so that these people and their loved ones do not remain anonymous.”
Audrey Essola, DVG, Vannes
“We respond favorably, and these issues are also included in our project, particularly support for associations helping the Ukrainian people.”