(AhlulBayt News Agency) - French President Francois Hollande has said he does not plan to ease the pressure on Russia over its support for the Syrian government in its fight against rebels, but that he remains ready to meet President Vladimir Putin to discuss the war, a regional French newspaper reported on Sunday.
Putin cancelled an Oct. 19 visit to Paris after Hollande said he would see him only to talk about Syria.
"Vladimir Putin does not want to seriously discuss Syria. I am ready at any time, but I will not ease the pressure," Hollande said in the interview, published on Sunday evening.
He added that the absolute priorities were a cessation of bombing, a ceasefire, humanitarian aid and the opening of negotiations.
Paris-Moscow tensions escalated since Russia vetoed a French resolution at the United Nations Security Council which called for a halt to the bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Putin had accused France of deliberately pushing for the UN proposal to heap pressure on Russia as it knew that Moscow would veto the resolution. He said the move was aimed at "inflaming the situation and fanning hysteria around Russia.”
Syria has been gripped by foreign-sponsored militancy over the past five and a half years.
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17 October 2016 - 12:43
News ID: 786064
French President Francois Hollande has said he does not plan to ease the pressure on Russia over its support for the Syrian government in its fight against rebels, but that he remains ready to meet President Vladimir Putin to discuss the war, a regional French newspaper reported on Sunday.
