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Russia should reach out for lifting of European sanctions — Sarkozy

The former French president notes the lifting of sanctions is not a sign of weakness on the Russian side
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy
© EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

ST. PETERSBURG, June 16. /TASS/. Russia should be the one to initiate lifting of European sanctions, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday.

"I am among those who believe that it is necessary to lift the sanctions. We have enough problems; we cannot afford to suffer. The most powerful needs to reach out first, and Russia, President Putin - are the most powerful," he said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2016).

He also noted that he had asked Vladimir Putin to lift sanctions against Europe to "set an example".

"We will follow your lead then," Sarkozy said.

Sarkozy added that no one disputes the authority of the President of Russia, and that the lifting of sanctions is not a sign of weakness on the Russian side.