Rift between France and Russia widens
France is viewed by Russia as an ‘unfriendly’ country, according to a Kremlin spokesman. Discussions between their respective Presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin, are regarded as ‘unnecessary’.
These comments came in the wake of France joining other Western and allied countries in imposing sanctions on Russia as reprisal for the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.
The French President has taken a high-profile role in bilateral and multilateral efforts to resolve the crisis. The two men spoke five times during February in the lead-up to war; they spoke again several times in the coming months. The last occasion was on 28 May, in which conversation they were joined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Macron has taken criticism that his efforts have been ineffective, although some commentators have said that he has some insight into and access to Putin.
Putin is meanwhile looking to enhance Russia’s relationship with non-Western countries, meeting last week with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an effort to strengthen economic ties.
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