The French head of state did not hide his concern about the state of health of Alexeï Navalny.

Emmanuel Macron expressed, Monday April 26, during an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, "his serious concern about the state of health" of the imprisoned opponent and "respect for his fundamental rights", indicated the Elysee.

During this exchange, which took place in the middle of the afternoon, the President of the Republic also expressed France's support for "its European partners" after the recent expulsion by Moscow of 20 Czech diplomats and of an Italian diplomat.

Alexeï Navalny announced on Friday that he would end the hunger strike he had been observing for three weeks to denounce his conditions of detention.

The day before, doctors had urged the 44-year-old opponent to stop "immediately" not eating, saying they feared his death or "considerable damage" to his health.

For its part, the Russian justice ordered Monday the suspension of the activities of organizations linked to Alexeï Navalny, which are threatened with being declared "extremists" and banned.

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France in solidarity with its European partners

During his meeting with Vladimir Poutine, Emmanuel Macron also "marked France's support for its partners following the series of expulsions of European diplomats by Russia," said the Elysee. 

Russia and the West have increased the number of cross-expulsions of diplomats in recent weeks, amid heightened tensions around Ukraine and the case of Alexeï Navalny.

On Monday, Moscow announced the expulsion of an Italian diplomat in retaliation for the expulsion by Rome in March of Russian officials for a spy case.

After the Czech Republic expelled 18 Russian diplomats presented as spies, Moscow retaliated by asking 20 Czech diplomats to leave its territory.

Several European countries have announced expulsions in solidarity with the Czech Republic.

"A credible revival of dialogue" 

During the exchange, Emmanuel Macron also called on Vladimir Putin to "engage in good faith and in a lasting manner for the reduction of tensions with Ukraine, by the effective withdrawal of troops and heavy equipment at the border, the clear reaffirmation of the ceasefire and a credible relaunch of dialogue, "according to the Élysée.

The Russian army began Friday the withdrawal of its troops massed for weeks near Ukraine, a deployment that had caused renewed tensions with the West and raised fears of an attack on Kiev.

On the Caucasus and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the French Head of State "stressed the need to make concrete progress on the issue of prisoners, humanitarian support and the preservation of heritage".

"The two presidents agreed to relaunch efforts within the framework of the Minsk group to achieve a lasting settlement of the situation" and "concrete initiatives will be taken in this direction in the coming days", the presidency specified.

Finally, on Libya, Emmanuel Macron "recalled the need to work for respect for the ceasefire, for the sovereignty and stability" of the country, "as well as for the consolidation of the political process and the effective withdrawal foreign forces on the ground ".

Western countries are demanding the withdrawal from Libya of the mercenaries from the private Wagner group, known to be close to Vladimir Putin, who fought in support of the forces of Marshal Haftar, a strong man from the east of the country.

Moscow says Russia has "no soldiers or people in uniform" on Libyan soil.

With AFP

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