French President Francois Hollande
© Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP
Frankrig, hele Europa og Rusland er interesseret i at afslutte sanktionerne og normalisere relationerne, fortalte den franske Præsident Francois Hollande ambassdører ved et årligt møde i Paris, tirsdag.

"Vi er alle interesserede i at løfte sanktionsregimet så snart som muligt og på den bedste måde,," sagde Hollande, og lagde vægt på at begge sider led under den tilstede værende kulde i relationerne. "Dette har en høj pris og komplicerer dialogen," understregede præsidenten.


Kommentar: The sanctions seem to be hurting France more than they are hurting Russia.


"Paris husker altid den specielle karakter af relationerne til Rusland, underbygget af århundrede-gammel historie," tilføjede han. "Der er mange indikationer som nu viser at vi kan opretholde dem idag."


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Hollande noted that the implementation of the Minsk peace deal signed by the leaders of the Normandy Four group (Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany) in February 2015 is delayed and the situation deteriorated this summer posing the risk of a new escalation of the conflict.

"Until the year-end there are two goals. First, security with de-militarization and established ceasefire checked and controlled by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Second, holding elections in accordance with Ukraine's legislation and international standards," the president said.

Russia needs to play its role both in Ukraine and Syria to allow the settlement of these crises, he added.

"We will resume discussions with Russian President Putin and Ukraine's President Poroshenko to ensure ceasefire and free elections," Hollande said.