France should work towards improving its ties with Russia by removing sanctions and pivoting away from American influence, a candidate in the country’s presidential race has declared, as tensions flare across eastern Europe.
Speaking as part of an interview with the France 5 television channel on Sunday, Eric Zemmour proposed that if he were elected to the top job, “there would be no more sanctions against Russia.” He also suggested that the state could show “friendly signals” by lifting punitive measures.
The presidential candidate, known for his far-right and nationalist views, added that Paris should be “friends with Russia” and should stop “being a tool of the United States.” According to him, Washington tries to pit European countries against Moscow.
“The US is trying to divide Russia from France and Germany, and every time they get closer to each other, the Americans find a way to divide them,” he said.