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Putin and Le Pen did not talk about National Front's financing — Kremlin

The Kremlin spokesman stated it was hardly possible
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and Russian President Vladimir Putin  Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and Russian President Vladimir Putin
© Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen have not discussed possible financing of election campaign of France's National Front political party by Russian banks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"I do not think this [financing by Russia] is possible," Peskov told reporters.

Peskov noted that this was the first meeting between Putin and Marine Le Pen.

"As far as I know, they haven’t met before," he said. 

Dialogue with all partners

The Kremlin spokesman stressed that Russia constantly maintains dialogue with those partners who are ready to work on enhancing ties. "As the talks began, the president noted that Russia is ready to keep contacts with representatives of all political forces, the current leadership and the opposition’s representatives," he said.

"This is normal practice," Peskov said. "Russia was not going and is not going to meddle into someone’s domestic affairs or electoral process, but wishes to communicate with all political forces," he said.

"Moreover, it is important to continue contacts with those forces that speak about the need for bilateral dialogue to search for solutions to the current problems," Peskov said. "No doubt, the president is contacting with many foreign politicians who take part in political life and electoral process at this or that stage," he said.

Speaking about Marine Le Pen’s Moscow visit, Peskov noted: "It was her decision and a good reason for a meeting."