PARIS — An unlikely new player has waltzed onto France’s political stage: Vladimir Putin.
Two years away from a presidential election, French political leaders have split into two camps with regard to the Russian president. On one side, ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy and far-right leader Marine Le Pen have defended the annexation of Crimea and both describe Russia as a “partner” for France.
On the other, President François Hollande is turning a cold shoulder to the Kremlin.
In the past few weeks the Socialist leader has demonstrated his wariness in several ways — from a well-timed trip to Cuba to the alleged abandonment of …read more
Source: European Voice
