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Hollande calls on Russia to act as mediator at Syria talks

The French president stresses Paris expects Moscow’s efforts on settling the conflict

French President Francois Hollande EPA/AIDAN CRAWLEY

French President Francois Hollande

© EPA/AIDAN CRAWLEY

PARIS, August 30. /TASS/. Russia should play a constructive role of a mediator at the negotiations on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria, French President Francois Hollande told an annual meeting with ambassadors in Paris on Tuesday.

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"Russia has been supporting the regime of (Syrian President) Bashar Assad for a year already. Today there is the need to ensure the end of combat actions and the resumption of talks. I will make this address to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Hollande said.

The French president stressed that Paris expects Moscow’s constructive efforts on settling the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.

"Russia should play its role - both in Ukraine and Syria - to allow setting these crises. In Syria, it should be an active participant of talks, and not one of the key actors in the events," he added.

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