France says dialogue with Russia is no longer in its ‘interests’

Macron in February angered Moscow by hinting that Western troops could be deployed in Ukraine.

Paris:

France’s foreign minister said on Monday that Paris was no longer “interested” in dialogue with Russia after differing accounts of last month’s deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall emerged in a rare phone call.

“It is not in our interest to have discussions with Russian officials at the moment because the statements and summaries about them are lies,” Stephane Sejourne told France24 and RFI broadcasters.

French President Emmanuel Macron last week lashed out at what he called Russia’s “bizarre behavior” after French Defense Minister Sebastien Le Cornou spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu. and threatening” tone.

France said Le Cornou was intended to deliver “useful information” to Moscow about the March 22 attack that killed more than 140 people near the Russian capital.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Le Cornu’s foreign ministry reported that France was ready to step up exchanges and fight “terrorism”.

But according to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia responded by warning France and hoping that the French secret service was not involved in the attack.

Before France can talk to Russia again, “Perhaps we have to first build trust and, perhaps most importantly, let the military situation on the ground in Ukraine develop so that relations can be restored. That is not the case at the moment,” Séjourna said.

Macron in February angered Moscow by suggesting that Western troops could be deployed in Ukraine, which Russia invaded two years ago.

Séjourny concluded that the “long tradition of cooperation with Russia in the field of counter-terrorism” has now stalled.

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