Putin, Macron meet amid strained French-Russian ties

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited Paris upon the invitation of newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron, had “difficult”, but “frank” talks with him during their first meeting in Versailles on May 29.

The agenda of the talks covered a wide range of issues including the intensification of Russian-French political, economic and cultural cooperation and the situation in Ukraine, Syria and Libya and on the Korean peninsula.

Macron stressed that dialogue with Russia is vital in solving a number of international disputes, RT reported.

The French president admitted, however, that he has “some disagreements” with his Russian counterpart, but said that the two leaders discussed them openly in a “frank exchange of views.”

Putin also noted certain differences, but said that both of them view many issues in a similar way, and that French-Russian relations could be “qualitatively” improved.

The relations between the two countries are overshadowed by mistrust, with Paris and Moscow backing opposing sides in the Syrian civil war and at odds over the Ukraine conflict.

Another issue that weakened Russian-French ties was accusation against Russia over alleged attempts to interfere in French presidential election.

Russia has not interfered in elections in any country, there is no subject for discussion on this issue, Putin said at a news conference after talks in reply to reporters’ question.

He also noted that his meeting with Marine Le Pen, who was another candidate in the presidential race, was not aimed at influencing the recent presidential election in France.

"Once Le Pen asked us for a meeting, we could not refuse her since she had been always a supporter for the development of relations with our country," Putin said. 

Commenting on rumors about alleged interference of Russian hackers in the French presidential election, Putin reminded there were no hard facts proving this.

Putin noted that Moscow and Paris are looking for joint solutions to the problems of Syria, Ukraine, North Korea’s nuclear program and terrorism.

"We spoke about the Ukrainian crisis, spoke about the possibilities of settling the Syrian problem and, naturally, we also touched upon such a complex and, in my mind, dangerous situation as the situation with the nuclear problem in North Korea and with the North Korean missile program," the Russian leader said. 

Macron further said that France and Russia could work together towards a settlement in Syria noting that "it is necessary to seek an inclusive political solution."

He also stressed that he had told President Putin about the red line as to the use of chemical weapons.

"Any use of chemical weapons [in Syria] will see a prompt response [from Paris]," Macron said.

Commenting on anti-Russian sanctions, Macron warned that new sanctions against Russia may only be caused by escalation of the Ukrainian conflict.

"I confirm what I said earlier on this issue, if necessary, the sanctions may be strengthened but only in case of escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. If de-escalation does not happen, then there will be sanctions," he said.

Relations between Paris and Moscow were strained under former President Francois Hollande. Putin cancelled his last planned visit in October after Hollande accused Russia of war crimes in Syria.

Then during the French election campaign the Macron camp alleged Russian hacking and disinformation efforts, at one point refusing accreditation to the Russian state-funded Sputnik and RT news outlets which it said were spreading Russian propaganda and fake news.

In Syrian conflict Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad while France supports rebel groups trying to overthrow him.

France has also taken a tough line on European Union sanctions on Russia, first imposed when it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and cancelled a $1.3 billion warship supply contract in 2015.

During the campaign, Macron backed expanded sanctions if there were no progress with Moscow implementing a peace accord for eastern Ukraine.