Russian President Putin postpones visit to France

(Baonghean.vn) - On October 11, Reuters published information that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not come to Paris next week.- the latest developments in tensions between Russia and the West.

Russian President Putin and French President Francois Hollande. Photo Reuters.

"This morning (October 11), there were some contacts between the Kremlin and the Élysée Palace to prepare for Russian President Putin's visit to France to discuss the Syrian issue, but it is uncertain whether President Hollande can attend the meeting... In response to this proposal, Russia has shown its desire to postpone the visit scheduled for October 19," a source close to the Élysée Palace said.

On October 9, in an interview with TF1 television channel, French President Francois Hollande said he was not sure he would welcome the Russian leader when Mr. Putin arrived in Paris on October 19, and criticized the Russian President's "unacceptable" support for airstrikes in Syria.

Regarding the Syria issue, two draft resolutions on Syria drafted by Russia and France were not adopted at the United Nations Security Council. Of these, the French draft, which proposed an immediate end to airstrikes and military flights over the Syrian city of Aleppo, was vetoed by Russia. The Russian draft was opposed by 9 votes, including France.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Orlov said that President Putin still wanted to come to France on October 19. "Of course he still wants to come to Paris. I think that the dialogue needs to continue and we are here to have special exchanges in difficult times."

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)