French President pays brief visit to Russia
French President Francois Hollande has paid a brief visit to Russia and held talks with President Vladimir Putin at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airpor. The two leaders discussed the crisis in Ukraine. (TAKE SOT)
“Mr. President, I decided we should discuss problems regarding the Ukraine crisis. We are talking for Ukrainian people, for the Europe and for Russia. I’m confident that both France and Russia could found solutions to end the crisis in Ukraine,” said Hollande.
“Current problems are complicated, but our discussion could play a positive role. I’m sure that your visit today, even if so short a working visit, will no doubt favor the settlement of many problems,” Putin said.
Putin told reporters afterwards the two-hour meeting was very constructive and substantive. He also said Russia hopes a final ceasefire in eastern Ukraine would be agreed on soon. He called on Kyiv authorities to promptly withdraw military hardware from the demarcation line.
A major point of contention between Moscow and Paris is the delay of the delivery of a French warship to Russia. France has put it on hold indefinitely due to concerns over Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Putin said that he had not discussed it with Hollande, but he hopes the French side will comply with the agreement.