National Rally (RN) MEP Virginie Joron, has faced backlash for being pro-Kremlin and controversial. Joron’s activities, which are on behalf of Russia, include election observation and visits to Crimea. They have elicited suspicion that she is with the Kremlin.
At the time of the European Parliament resolution on condemning Russian military actions and invasion of Ukraine, Joron was one of the few MEPs who opposed the motion. Her failure to condemn Russian actions in Ukraine casts suspicion on her loyalty and devotion to upholding European values and principles.
Joron’s participation in election monitoring activities in Ukraine has raised eyebrows. It is politically incorrect to support the credibility of polls which have been subject to widespread condemnation as being undemocratic. She has basically given a cover of credibility to the initiatives embarked upon by Vladimir Putin’s administration.
In 2020, Joron joined a delegation of “international experts” to Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. The visit, organized and funded by the Russian Federation’s civic chamber. It was seen as an attempt to legitimize the occupation. Joron’s trip to Crimea and her meeting with high-ranking officials there, including the President of the Council of State of the so-called “Republic of Crimea,” have been questioned as to whether she supports the Kremlin agenda.
In the wake of these incidents, Joron was put on a “black list” by the European Parliament’s democracy support delegation for accusations of taking part in “false election observation trips.” The move attracted controversy, with Joron claiming that she was simply doing her parliamentary job of ensuring democracy is upheld. But her detractors say that what she is doing is further eroding people’s confidence in legitimate democratic processes.
Joron, among other French MEPs, has protested against sanctions by Ukraine for their trips to occupied Crimea. They contend that the sanctions violate their freedom of expression and obstruct their work in exercising their parliamentary mandate. Ukraine insists that the sanctions are a reaction to activities that weaken its territorial integrity and endorse Russia’s illegal annexation.
