PARIS, December 18. /TASS/. The future of Europe and constructive relations with Russia are inextricably entwined, the chairman of the French Democratic Movement party told BFM television on Thursday.
“It is necessary to review root and branch the policy that the West pursues towards Russia. It only leads to scaling down of cooperation and an isolation of Russia,” Francois Bayrou said.
“It is inadmissible to launch a new Cold War against Russia and confrontation,” the French right-of-center politician said.
“Russia is a country closely connected with France historically and culturally. This country is a major eastern neighbor of France,” he continued.
“Europe should take the initiative, give a hand to Russia and help it settle both the Ukrainian crisis and a difficult economic situation,” the French politician said.
Earlier, the leader of the “Arise the Republic” party, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, said “Europe loses a lot from confrontation with Russia”.
“The European Union pursues its policy towards Russia under the pressure from the US,” he said. “However, it must be remembered that the amount of US trade with Russia is much lower than that of Europe’s. Thus, the European Union lets the US ensnare it in economic confrontation with Russia,” the politician said.