French, Russian ministers to meet in 2+2 format in Paris - diplomatic source

The Russian and French foreign and defense ministers will hold a 2+2 meeting in Paris, the date will be announced later, a senior diplomatic source in the French capital said, TASS reports.

"The ministers will meet in Paris as part of the French-Russian Security Cooperation Council that brings together heads of foreign policy and defense agencies of France and Russia," TASS was told. According to the source," the meeting’s date will be revealed separately."

The senior source then recalled, "Political directors of the French foreign ministry and the armed forced ministry held consultations with their Russian counterparts in Paris on July 16 ahead of this meeting." TASS was also told that the talks focused on the issues of strategic stability and regional crises.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko expressed hope in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman that a 2+2 ministerial meeting would take place soon.