PARIS, May 30 -- Despite real and persistent disagreements, Monday's meeting between the French and Russian presidents has marked the reopening of firm and pragmatic dialogue between Paris and Moscow after an era of distrust in recent years, analysts said.
Even as thorny issues such as Crimea, Ukraine and Syria were discussed by Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin, the French and Russian presidents laid the groundwork for future relations between their two countries which were strongly strained of late, experts commented.
SYMBOLIC VISIT
Last October, Putin had cancelled his visit to France after the French presidential office had made it known he was not welcome after a new Russian veto within the UN Security Council and the continuation of airstrikes east of the Syrian city of Aleppo.
The two men met in Versailles, at the Grand Trianon palace, in order to inaugurate the exhibition: "Peter the Great, a Tsar in France, 1717," observing the 300th anniversary of the opening of the Russian embassy in Paris. The then-emperor had come to the seven-year-old King Louis XV, seeking the friendship of France in order to counteract the influence of Sweden and Austria.
Hadrien Desuin, a specialist in international and defense issues, said Macron in receiving Putin sent "a very strong diplomatic signal to the rest of the world. It reminded the United States that France is not falling into line," he said.
Describing this meeting as "extremely important," Russia-specialist historian specialized in Russia Helene Carrere d'Encausse said: "The new French president is in the process of restarting a relationship between Paris and Moscow which had been interrupted."
PRAGMATIC STANCE
Writer and former Russian diplomat Vladimir Fedorovski felt both leaders chose to respond firmly but calmly to all sensitive subjects with a pragmatic stance.
"In agreeing on the proper handling of terrorist threats, for example, Macron and Putin rose above the often sensitive ideological or ethical differences," he argued.
Even while setting "red lines," Macron promised to cooperate with Moscow in a joint press conference with Putin, and called for a reinforcement of the "partnership with Russia" in Syria.
"A very clear red line exists for our side -- the use of chemical weapons -- by whoever it may be," warned the head of the French state. "Any use of chemical weapons will be the target of reprisals and an immediate retaliation, in any case on the part of the French," he said.
The director of the European Center of Strategic Analysis Philippe Migault said "the firm but courteous attitude of Macron would please the Russians."
"We see a clear evolution in strategy and tone in comparison to former president Francois Hollande," he noted.
TOUCHY SUBJECTS
When Putin said the sanctions against his country contribute "in no way" to fix the Ukrain crisis, the French president responded by saying that there would be a discussion in the Normandy format in order to avoid "an escalation" of tensions.
The Normandy format refers to another meeting between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine.
Bringing up the reported accusations of the persecution of homosexuals in Chechnya, Macron called for "constant vigil" on the issue.
He also once again defended the exclusion of Russian media agencies Sputnik and Russia Today from official briefings, which he accused of spreading false information during the French presidential campaign. "They did not behave like press outlets, but like influence outlets," he said.
ECONOMIC TIES
Former French ambassador Eugene Berg said even if Moscow wasn't hoping to see Macron in the Elysee Palace, it can nevertheless allow for a renewal in Franco-Russian relations.
Pointing to strong economic links, the former diplomat underlined the importance of the French project by energy giant Total, which is building with Russian and Chinese partners a giant liquid gas factory on the Yamal peninsula in the Russian High North.
Numerous large French industries (pharmaceutical, distribution, chemical products, banks, energy, transport) are present in Russia, which is one of the three primary destinations for French investments abroad.
He added half of Russia's international commerce is conducted with Europe and many European states depend on Russian natural gas. Such links of interdependence could facilitate a warming of relations, Berg said.
GRE数学语义上出现歧义怎么解决
818G, V165+Q169+AW3.5经验谈
GRE数学概率题简析
GRE备考:制定计划是关键
世界杯32强口号:巴西最霸气 意大利很浪漫
新版gre数学复习重要考点:Commutative Law
GPA太低面试时怎么解释?
GRE数学考试中有哪些细节问题
GRE数学的破题策略
GRE数学难度加大怎么办
GRE数学满分攻略
作文4.0同学经验谈——给自己的GRE生活一个交代
GRE数学满分练成记
GRE满分牛人经验分享
复习GRE数学的七大法则
GRE数学中难题不一定是重点
GRE数学备考的温馨提示
921 166+170 GRE准备心得攻略
GRE高质量备考经验心得
在职备考如何获得GRE高分
GRE数学欲得高分有什么诀窍
GRE数学有哪些必须了解的复习方法
GRE考试白天复习计划整理
GRE数学答题提速技巧分析
GRE数学有哪些省时高效技巧
12个知识点入手GRE数学复习
GRE阅读精确定位排除技巧
GRE数学答题速度如何提高
GRE数学单位转换需要注意什么事项
备战2015GRE数学:复习应注重平时积累
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |