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France’s ex-PM calls to drop anti-Russian sanctions as mistake

He said the abandonment of the anti-Russian sanctions would help improve the unfavorable situation in France’s agrarian sector

© AP Photo/Peter Parks, Pool, File

PARIS, February 7. /TASS/. Anti-Russian sanctions were a mistake and they are to be abandoned the soonest possible, France’s former Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Sunday.

"The anti-Russian economic sanctions should be lifted as soon as possible. It was a silly step. The sanctions have had no impact on Russia in the sphere of international politics but only impaired relations with it," he told France 5 television channel. "At the same time, these sanctions are impoverishing both French and European farmers because it is a common economic system."

He said the abandonment of the anti-Russian sanctions would help improve the unfavorable situation in France’s agrarian sector. "It is necessary to ensure that all countries of the European Union demand the cancellation of these sanctions. It’s high time French President Francois Hollande slams his fist on the table and demand such measure," Fillon said.

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