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Author : A. Orlov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the French
For centuries, the relations between the two largest Eu-
ropean powers - Russia and France - have played a major
role in European and world politics. Although unlike
Germany, there was only one dynastic marriage between
our two countries: the youngest daughter of Grand
Prince Yaroslav the Wise married French King Henry I
in the distant 11th century. The two states and their peo-
ple have always been drawn to each other, based on com-
mon culture and religion. It should not be forgotten that
for two centuries French was in effect a second language
in Russia. The Russian aristocracy and well-educated people were fluent in French, which had a
deep impact on our perception of French culture and France as a whole.
However, it would be incorrect, to say the least, to portray the relations between Russia and
France and cloudless and problem-free. They have always been highly charged with emotion.
Periods of harmony alternated with wars. In past European conflicts, we were often on different
sides of the divide. France was in alliance with Sweden, Poland and Ottoman Empire at a time
when those countries were at war with Russia.
Nevertheless, let us leave history to historians. From a practical perspective, it is more important
for us to remember how our relations evolved in the 20th century. At that time, in those trying
years of World War I and World War II, Russia and France were allies, fighting a common enemy
shoulder to shoulder.
I believe that the present level of Russian-French relations cannot be called satisfactory. They
have to a very large degree become hostage to the geopolitical games unleashed by Washington
and Brussels, as well as to ideological prejudices. Of course, it would be wrong to completely
absolve France and its leadership of responsibility, as, in my opinion, it did not show enough
persistence in upholding the country's national interests.
At his meeting with Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron showed himself to be a well-meaning,
pragmatic partner, committed to a joint search for concrete results on both the most pressing
international issues and bilateral relations.
The overall change in the atmosphere around Russian-French relations, which we observed fol-
lowing Macron's election and the formation of a new government, also inspires a certain degree
of optimism.
On the whole, an analysis of different economic trends leads to the conclusion that the French
economy has lost more because of the sanctions than the Russian economy.
It should be noted that even now the remains of Russian soldiers lie on former battlefields in
"Russian-French Relations Need Clear-Cut Strategic Goals to
Move Forward"