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Marine Le Pen laughed off claims that Russia was a threat to Europeans and insisted that the true threat lay in Brussels. She hit out at those who hold elite positions in Europe and claimed they had orchestrated a demonisation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime. Ms Le Pen told Andrew Marr on the BBC that the EU, not Mr Putin, was the real enemy of the ordinary European.

GETTY Le Pen said Europe has nothing to fear from Putin

GETTY Le Pen held up Russian President Vladimir Putin's rule as model of "reasoned protectionism"

Marine Le Pen, who leads the French National Front (FN), held up Russian President Vladimir Putin's rule as a brilliant model of "reasoned protectionism". She said: "I believe that every country has the right to defend its own interests. "Putin is looking after the interests of his own country and defending its identity."

Putin is looking after the interests of his own country and defending its identity Marine Le Pen

She blamed the leaders of the European Union for destabilizing Europe and needlessly aggravating relations with Russia. Ms Le Pen added: "Russia is a European country, and so we'd better, if we want a powerful Europe, negotiate with Russia. "We have nothing to be scared from Putin." The political leader also branded the EU an "oppressive model" which would soon be defeated by a "Europe of free nations".

BBC Ms Le Pen is widely expected to reach the second round of the election in May

Vladimir Putin in pictures Tue, December 13, 2016 Russin President Vladimir Putin in pictures Play slideshow 1 of 56