"Fillon seems to be faithful to his ideas concerning foreign policy including on improving ties with Russia. He understands that it is mandatory for France to get back within the big game especially if the American president is willing to make deals with Russia," Nicolas Dhuicq, who is also a secretary of the French-Russian friendship group in the Parliament, said, reminding of Fillon's warning during his recent visit to Berlin, where the presidential candidate pointed at risks that Washington and Russian might forge better ties at the expense of the Russia-EU relations.
"Concerning the drama in Ukraine, we must consider that people are suffering a lot due to their government lack of willingness to abide by the Minsk agreements. I feel that Americans and Europeans are starting to understand it," Dhuicq explained, commenting on Fillon's statement.
The European Union and the United States imposed a series of sanctions on Russia over its alleged involvement in the conflict between Kiev and the militia in the east of Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations.
The French presidential elections will take part on April 23, with the run-off scheduled for May 7, and Fillon will face Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, former Minister of the Economy Emmanuel Macron running as the candidate from self-founded En Marche Party, Jean-Luc Melenchon as another independent candidate and either Benoit Hamon or Manuel Valls from the Socialist Party.
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