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Putin and Macron discuss preparations for French president’s visit to Russia

Emmanuel Macron's visit to Russia is scheduled for May

French President Emmanuel Macron AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool

French President Emmanuel Macron

© AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool

MOSCOW, February 9. /TASS/. Russian and French Presidents Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron have discussed over the phone Russian-French relations, including preparations for the French leader’s visit to Russia this coming May, the Kremlin press service reported following their telephone conversation.

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Macron may visit Russia on May 24-25 — source

"The heads of state exchanged views on pressing issues of Russian-French relations, including preparations for Macron’s upcoming visit to Russia in May and participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). While discussing trade, economic and investment issues, Putin briefed his counterpart on the results of his recent meeting with representatives of big French businesses," the press service said.

Putin and Macron also spoke highly of the work of the Trianon Dialogue Russian-French civil society forum, which is gaining momentum.

A "digital platform" is beginning its work as part of this forum, the Kremlin press servide said.

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Foreign policy Vladimir Putin

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Andrey Kelin also recalled that the policy of the Russian leadership enjoys the full support and confidence of the country's population

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

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

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All restrictions that Western countries impose affect themselves in the first place, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov added

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

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Ukrainian special services assemble unit for sabotage attacks in Kupyansk — official

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US provides temporary carveout for Sakhalin-2 related transactions with Gazprombank

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Biden's decision to use ATACMS on Russia threatens to kill Americans — Tucker Carlson

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The mood in international markets was mainly neutral

Ex-German chancellor never expected Russia to tolerate Ukraine’s NATO membership — memoir

Angela Merkel added that another fallacy was the belief that the status "would act as a deterrent," and that Moscow "would accept these developments without taking action"

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

According to Josep Borrell, the situation in the Gaza Strip "is apocalyptic," and "there are no more words" to describe it

Pentagon sees possibility of sending more antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine

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