French president sees Russia as "friendly country"

Source: Tanjug

PARIS -- France sees Russia is a friendly country, French President Francois Hollande has told the magazine Society in an interview.

(Beta/AP, file)

"For me, Vladimir Putin is above all the president of Russia. When I talk to him, I talk to Russia, and it is a country I respect, a great country and a friendly country," said Hollande.
The French leader admitted that there were "some misunderstandings" between Moscow and Paris.

"President Putin has his own interests, his vision and methods, and the things he says are not always generally accepted," he added.

According to Hollande, he for this reason decided to "speak openly to a head of state who always speaks directly."

Commenting on the Ukrainian crisis, Hollande said that he sees the solution in the full implementation of the agreement from Minsk.

"It would not be in the interest of Russia for Ukraine to be swallowed by NATO, because then Russia would find itself in direct contact with those its considers a threat," the French president said, and added that such a turn of events would also not correspond with the French position.

"It is in the interest of Europe to conduct direct talks with Russia, because it is a great country, and it is in the interest of Ukraine to preserve its territorial integrity," he said, adding this was why "it is clear that the solution lies in the full implementation of the agreement from Minsk."