On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov to develop together with their French counterparts a joint plan of action in Syria on the sea and in the air.
Putin also said Russian forces would cooperate with their French colleagues on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
"The tragedy in Paris could change the French foreign policy. Hollande is not de Gaulle, of course. He will not withdraw France from NATO. However, France may take some independent steps in bilateral relations with Russia. Hollande would try to regain the right for an independent policy toward Russia," Ivashov told RIA Novosti.
Otherwise, Holland may go down in history as the worst French president due to a number of serious flaws in his foreign political course.
"Hollande is backed by public groups and a political party. It’s obvious he will not like being the worst president in French history. He has made some serious mistakes in his foreign policy, including anti-Russian sanctions and the breach of the Mistral deal. Some say the Paris tragedy was also caused by his mistakes. Being pressured by the US, Hollande is damaging France both as a nation and as a society," he underscored.
"That would be the best option for Hollande to prove his resolute and independence," he said.
According to Ivashov, political cooperation between Russia and France would turn into a military alliance against terrorism.
"Now, it’s time for military men to work. Politicians, especially French, should less interfere in military affairs. Military officers can always agree," he concluded.
