Francois Hollande
Anti-Russian sanctions can be lifted only after the settlement of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine under the Minsk agreements. As reported on Saturday, January 28, TASS reported, citing a statement from the Elysee Palace, the French President Francois Hollande said during a telephone talks with his us counterpart Donald trump.
However, Hollande announced the intention to “continue and intensify the dialogue” with Russia “on all subjects”.
In addition, the President of France has told about the intention to continue the strengthening of the European Union “in all areas, including defence, in the interests of transatlantic relations in the field of security.” He stressed the “vital” role of NATO, also warned trump “about the economic and political consequences of a protectionist approach” and expressed the opinion that “in the current unstable and uncertain world, a closure is a hopeless answer.”
The interlocutors also discussed the normalization of the situation in Syria. Hollande stressed that this can only be achieved by legal means and under the auspices of the UN. He confirmed the intention of Paris to continue the fight against terrorism, including attacks of positions of militants grouping “Islamic state” (IG banned in Russia) in Syria and Iraq.
Earlier on January 28 at the summit of leaders of Mediterranean EU countries in Lisbon Hollande urged Europe to give an answer to the Trump approvingly responded about the British exit from the EU (Brexit).
Also on Saturday, a telephone conversation between the presidents of Russia and USA Vladimir Putin and Donald trump. During it the parties discussed the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the development of Russian-American economic relations and the opportunity of a personal meeting.