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Anti-Russian sanctions

Russian lawmaker hopes French Senate adopts resolution easing EU sanctions

Russia’s upper house speaker believes the French government will listen to the opinion of the parliament, which drafted such document

French Senate EPA/YOAN VALA, archive

French Senate

© EPA/YOAN VALA, archive

MINSK, June 8. /TASS/. The emergence of documents in the French parliament aimed at relaxing the anti-Russian sanctions reflects the opinion that prevails in the country’s society, Russia’s upper house speaker Valentina Matviyenko said on Wednesday.

"The mere fact that such a decision has been submitted to the French Senate says a lot, regardless of the outcome," Matviyenko told reporters commenting on the plans of France’s Senate to consider the resolution. She voiced hope that France’s upper house will approve the decision.

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Matviyenko said several committees of the Senate back the document.

"This reflects the opinion of citizens of France about sanctions against Russia," she said. Although the resolution is not legally binding, the document will be sent to the French government.

"And I believe the French government should listen to the opinion of its own parliament," Matviyenko said. "I’m sure that the long overdue stance in the society against anti-Russian sanctions leads to lifting them."

This is the case when "constant dripping wears away a stone."

On Wednesday, the French Senate is due to consider a draft resolution on easing the EU sanctions against Russia gradually in the economic, political and other areas. The discussion will be held during a plenary session of the upper house in the Luxembourg Palace.

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