Paris Undecided on Reaction to Motions on Easing Anti-Russia Sanctions

The French government has so far taken no official stance on the calls by the country's lawmakers to gradually remove the anti-Russian sanctions, the French prime minister's press service told Sputnik on Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, the French Senate passed by a wide majority of votes a resolution, calling on the French government in talks with the EU officials to reassess the diplomatic and political sanctions against Moscow and lift without delay the individual sanctions targeting Russian parliamentarians.

The move is aimed at overcoming obstacles for a political dialogue between Brussels and Moscow.

"Nothing has been decided at this stage," the press office said, commenting on the government's reaction to the resolution on softening sanctions adopted by the French parliament's upper chamber.

While reaffirming its strong commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine and "condemning the annexation of Crimea by Russia," the authors of the resolution said they regretted the deterioration of relations between the European Union and Russia and called for their restoration, which "is essential to address common challenges and achieve the strategic partnership with Russia."

The National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament, adopted a similar resolution in April. Both of the resolutions are non-binding.

The sanctions against Russia were introduced by the European Union in 2014 following the Crimean reunification with Russia and due to Moscow's alleged interference into the Ukrainian conflict, which Russia resolutely denies.

On June 28-29, the EU leaders are due to decide on further prolongation of sanctions at a summit in Brussels.