French President Emmanuel Macron said that discussions with Russia were necessary and that he respected Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging, however, that Putin dreams about "dismantling the European Union."
"I respect Vladimir Putin and I am one of those who believe that we need to create new approaches to security with Russia, we need discussions with Russia, but Putin's dream is to dismantle the EU," the French president said during an interview with Sweden's SVT broadcaster about European values and the difference between France and Russia, Sputnik reported.
Macron also put his country above Russia in terms of respect for human rights and democracy.
"I have contacts with Putin constantly and respect him, but Russia is not an example from the point of view of human rights," the French president said.
