Russian President Vladimir Putin and French Emmanuel Macron held a video conference today, Friday, covering several files, and the Elysee Palace confirmed that the French side is confident of making progress with Russia on the Libyan crisis.
"Macron is confident that we can make progress with Russia on a number of issues," a senior French presidential official told reporters after the talks.
He added that there is "a common interest in achieving stability in Libya and the unification of its institutions."
These talks relate to the strategic dialogue between France and Russia, and the Elysee announced earlier that the issues of Ukraine, Libya, Iran and Syria will be on the agenda, in addition to cooperation in the field of health and the environment.
Both the Russian and French sides do not hide their distinguished relations with the retired Libyan Major General Khalifa Hifter, although they deny press reports of their support for his forces that launched an attack on the Libyan capital, Tripoli, over a period of 14 months, before being destroyed by the internationally recognized Accord government forces.
Turkish role
The Russian and French sides also shared their concern about Turkey's military support to the Al-Wefaq government under an agreement concluded in November last year, which led to a change in the balance of power.
Macron has in recent months pursued a policy of rapprochement with Russia, showing openness to Putin on major contentious issues such as Ukraine, a policy that has irked some allies in the European Union.
Macron had received his Russian counterpart at the summer headquarters of the French Presidency in Fort-de-Bergignon on August 19, 2019, ahead of the G-7 summit in Biarritz. "We believe in Europe that extends from Lisbon to Vladivostok," Macron said at the time, expressing his desire to work to "reconnect Russia to Europe."