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Putin's spokesman says Kremlin never had any aversion to Macron

Emmanuel Macron was declared winner in the first round of the presidential election in France, scoring 23.75%

© AP Photo/Christophe Ena

ST. PETERSBURG, April 24. /TASS/. It is wrong to say that Moscow was unhappy to see the leader of France’s En Marche! movement, Emmanuel Macron, win the first round of presidential elections in France, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

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Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen to face each other in runoff

"These are utterly erroneous allegations, and rather primitive," he told journalists.

"Traditionally, Russia is ready and willing to build good relations with those who think the same way and who believe that the current differences can be settled only through dialogue, by taking into account mutual interests," Peskov stressed. "It is wrong to say that Russia shows favoritism towards anyone among the candidates."

"Russia has never interfered, doesn’t interfere and will never interfere into electoral processes in other countries," he trumpeted.

Moscow respects the French people’s choice and is keen to develop relations with France:

"It is a very important election on the European continent," Peskov said commenting on the first round of the French presidential election.

The Kremlin spokesman pointed out that "Russia and France share a long history of relations." "We seek to further develop these ties," he stressed.

"As far as the election is concerned, we respect the choice of the French people. It is the French people who should decide who will be the country’s president," the Russian presidential spokesman noted.

The first round of presidential elections was held in France on Sunday, April 23. According to the French interior ministry, Macron is leading in the first round of voting with 23.68% of the vote. His chief rival, National Front leader Marine Le Pen scored 21.43% of votes. The runoff vote will be held on May 7.

Alleged hacker attacks

Allegations about Russian hackers’ attacks against US Democratic Party’s servers during the presidential election campaign have not been confirmed to this day and the latest statements about similar attacks against French presidential candidate Emanuel Macron look pretty much like claims from Washington, Peskov emphasized.

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Ex-NSA deputy director affirms Russia couldn’t have changed one single vote in US election

"All this is a reminder of the accusations that were heard from Washington just recently and that have remained unconfirmed to this day, which does no credit to those who made them," Peskov said when asked for a comment about French media speculations Macron’s election team was attacked by hackers from Russia.

"What groups are these? Why Russia [was pointed at as the attacker?]" Peskov reiterated.

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Foreign policy French presidential election 2017

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Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

"As a result, the goals that the enemy apparently set have not been achieved," the Russian leader said

Russia not obliged to notify anyone about launch of intermediate-range missile — Kremlin

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Moscow used its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile in response to the West’s decision to authorize strategic-depth strikes on Russia

NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

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US not seeking confrontation with Russia, but will continue assistance to Kiev — Pentagon

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Two underwater cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea on November 17 and 18

EU considers ICC warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant as binding — foreign policy chief

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US vote at UNSC rejected chance of stopping 'horrific bloodshed' in Gaza, Russian MFA says

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Bundeswehr prepares plan for Operation Germany in case of war with Russia — newspaper

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Russian troops raise flag in central Kurakhovo in Donetsk region — politician

Russian army units have advanced much farther into the city’s northern part, in particular, along the southern bank of the Kurakhovo reservoir, Vladimir Rogov specified

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West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

Jeremy Corbyn called for de-escalation of the situationin Ukraine and the search for a diplomatic solution to achieve peace

China holds US responsible for disrupted defense ministers' meeting in Laos

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Japanese government refrains from commenting on Russia’s latest hypersonic missile

At the same time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi once again criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine

Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Trump may soon start talks with Russia following Biden’s decision on ATACMS — news agency

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