French readers discuss Putin's New Year's speech and his words "about firm and consistent upholding of national interests, the security of the country and the citizens of Russia."
According to RIA Novosti, readers of Le Figaro noted that the Russian leader "unwaveringly defends the interests of Russia" and "reasonably and restrained" behaves in conversations with leaders of foreign states.
Also, the user under the nickname Latude called Putin an outstanding politician who managed to make Russia "a key player on the world stage."
On December 31, the President of Russia, in his New Year's address to citizens, said that Russia had firmly and consistently defended the interests of the country and Russians in the security sphere in the outgoing year.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia does not intend to return to the Iron Curtain in relations with the West.