Le Monde: Fillon called for the restoration of relations with Russia – TASS

BERLIN/PARIS, January 22. /Offset. TASS Mikhail Shcherbakov, Sergey Shcherbakov/. Russia not to break economic sanctions, the leader of the French party the “Republicans” françois Fillon.

“it’s Naive to believe that the Russian people can break economic sanctions, said Fillon in an interview published by Le Monde. – Who may want conflict with Russia? We need to restore our relationship.”

the French politician who is a candidate the “Republicans” in presidential elections, called for “a new economic partnership with Russia,” and proposed “to hold the conference Europe-Russia in the new security environment” in Europe.

Fillon called irresponsible by those who called for the entry of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO.

“is it Always the West has been a reliable partner? Isn’t he deceived Russia on Libya, in Kosovo, for economic partnership with the EU? – said Fillon, answering the question of the French edition of his vision of relations with Russia. In addition I would like to remind you about the irresponsible statements of those who wanted the entry of Georgia and Ukraine in NATO. You just have to accept that neither Ukraine nor Georgia can join the EU and NATO”.

“Why did we need to deploy missile defenses near the Russian border? We made a lot of mistakes”, – said Fillon.

relations with the United States

Fillon considers it necessary to establish a defence Alliance between Paris and Berlin after coming to power in the United States Donald trump. This opinion he expressed in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, excerpts of which were published on Sunday.

According to him, the military Alliance should have including the Fund to Finance operations abroad. “We don’t have to put up with the American rules of the game”, – said the French politician, who on January 23, will play in Berlin talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and the head of the Ministry of defense of Germany Ursula von der Leinen.

According to evaluations of the candidate from the largest opposition party, the Republicans, currently, the relations between France and Germany are unsatisfactory. “Partnership has never been so empty and weak as it is today,” said Fillon.

At the same time, he noted that the EU is in “very poor condition”, including due to the fact that in the Commonwealth, “no solid counterbalance to a strong Germany.” According to the politician, Brexit could be for the European Union “killer” if the project of a United Europe will not work to bring back to life.

Settlement in Syria

Fillon believes that Russia seeks to eradicate the terrorist group “Islamic state” (IG banned in Russia) in Syria.

“Russia is trying to prevent arrival of militants to power in Damascus, said Fillon. – A large part of the Western political elite just don’t understand.”

According to a French politician, Paris and other European capitals “was a serious mistake to demand the departure of (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad as a precondition for starting the peace process.” “As a result, European countries have been marginalized in the process of settlement in Syria, and their place was taken by Russia, Iran and Turkey,” said Fillon.

Fillon has repeatedly stated that the Elysee Palace is long overdue to change policy towards the Syrian conflict. “I note that the policy we had for four years has failed, that the civil war (in Syria) only intensified, he said in the primaries “Republican” last fall. – Did our policy to put an end to this violence? No need to admit it and start looking for a different mode of action.”