When President Putin was the first president to visit president Hollande after his elections last year, he appeared much more self-confident and experienced than his French counterpart. While President Putin was leading the game, Hollande, still new to the post, seemed powerless, and did not dare imposing his own rules. During the press conference, President Putin had clearly stated that Russia would not stop developing its missile system on its boarder with Europe (in response to the American one being built in Europe). At that very moment, the future relations between the countries seemed quite tensed, with on the one hand President Hollande assuring to its people that he would convince President Putin to agree on both Syria and the PRO missiles system, and on the other hand President Putin not ready to come to any agreement that would imply a change of position from Russia.
Whether President Putin simply sent a polite invitation according to the protocole or actually made a step towards Hollande to give a chance to French-Russian relations, it is not clear. The most important though, is the outcome their second meeting.
Moscow, 28/02/13.
I had the opportunity to attend the reception at the French embassy during which the French president quickly summarized his meeting with President Putin. It turned out to be that he still hasn't managed to convince his counterpart to take part in the Syrian conflict, "although, President Putin and I do agree on many other things such as the visa reglementations, soon to be eased for workers and students; cultural partnerships and exchanges between universities; the importance of bilateral investments in French and Russian companies and the necessary development of Russian investments in French companies ". Indeed, Hollande does not seem to have changed his tune, which consists in two main arguments: 1) France and Russia are two very close countries, and 2) he will soon convince President Putin to take part in the Syrian conflict.
In my next article I will explore how the Russian newspapers tackled this meeting. I will also report President Putin's declaration during the conference at the Kremlin, trying to give you the most accurate Russian point of view of the current relations between France and Russia.
Whether President Putin simply sent a polite invitation according to the protocole or actually made a step towards Hollande to give a chance to French-Russian relations, it is not clear. The most important though, is the outcome their second meeting.
Moscow, 28/02/13.
I had the opportunity to attend the reception at the French embassy during which the French president quickly summarized his meeting with President Putin. It turned out to be that he still hasn't managed to convince his counterpart to take part in the Syrian conflict, "although, President Putin and I do agree on many other things such as the visa reglementations, soon to be eased for workers and students; cultural partnerships and exchanges between universities; the importance of bilateral investments in French and Russian companies and the necessary development of Russian investments in French companies ". Indeed, Hollande does not seem to have changed his tune, which consists in two main arguments: 1) France and Russia are two very close countries, and 2) he will soon convince President Putin to take part in the Syrian conflict.
In my next article I will explore how the Russian newspapers tackled this meeting. I will also report President Putin's declaration during the conference at the Kremlin, trying to give you the most accurate Russian point of view of the current relations between France and Russia.
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