France and Russia have differences as well as common interests that is why the two states could work out a common position on various issues through a direct, but at the same time demanding dialogue, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
“We have a lot of divergences, that would be a subject of discussion between Macron and Putin," Le Drian told the France Inter radio broadcaster.
"We need an honest, demanding dialogue with Russia; we have our interests. Russia is a big country, Russia can be a partner. We need to move toward a dialogue. We can work out a common position on a range of questions without hiding our key differences at the same time," he added.
Macron will pay a two-day official visit to St. Petersburg on May 24-25 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as an honorary guest.
