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On Thursday, February 24, 2022, upon his arrival in Reunion Island where he is going for the presidential campaign, Jean-Luc Mélenchon reacted to the outbreak of war in Ukraine by Russia. Jean-Luc Mélenchon declared that "the Russian attack on Ukraine is unbearable" and that Putin's Russia was taking the risk of an incredible step backwards in history on the old continent. He denounced a show of force that ran the risk of a generalized conflict. He called for not entering into military escalation. The candidate of the Popular Union in the presidential election declared that it was necessary to defend the vital interests of France. He again pleaded for a non-aligned, sovereign and independent France. He proposed that a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) be held quickly so that all the protagonists of security in Europe could discuss. He also said that a meeting of the UN Security Council should be held, as well as a meeting of the UN General Assembly to condemn the Russian action. He called for a "clear, precise, specific" condemnation, which would allow for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. He reiterated his position: we cannot accept resolving problems through violence and conflict and it is not acceptable for an army to cross borders in Europe. Jean-Luc Mélenchon then spoke about his trip to Reunion Island, explaining that this place is a strategic location for France in the heart of the Indian Ocean. He called for a major clean sweep to resolve the problems, particularly access to water. He also said that he was going to collect sponsorships and try to convince the people of Reunion Island to vote for his program. He praised the role played by Reunion Island elected officials Huguette Bello, Younous Omarjee, Jean-Hugues Ratenon and Karine Lebon alongside him.