Kremlin Spokesman Praises Constructive Nature of Putin-Hollande Talks

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President François Hollande in Armenia was held in a constructive atmosphere which is paramount for contacts between Russia and the EU.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President François Hollande in Armenia was held in a constructive atmosphere, which is paramount for contacts between Russia and the EU, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

Putin and Hollande met earlier on Friday during a visit to Yerevan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

"The meeting with President Hollande was relatively lengthy and comprehensive. It was held in a very constructive and pragmatic rhythm," Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

"The deficit of this spirit (of interaction) is felt sharply in our current relations with the European countries," Peskov said.

Russia-EU relations worsened dramatically in 2014 over Ukraine crisis. France was one of the Western countries that introduced anti-Russian economic sanctions.

Russia and France signed a $1.5-billion contract for two Mistral-class helicopter carriers in June 2011. The handover of the first ship was scheduled for November 2014, but never happened. France has frozen the Mistral deal, citing Russia's alleged role in the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.

The Russian side repeatedly denied any involvement in the Ukrainian internal conflict, warning that it could file a lawsuit against Paris if contractual obligations for the Mistral deal remain unfulfilled. The negotiations over the Mistral situation are still ongoing.

Moscow has repeatedly expressed readiness to resume dialogue and cooperation with European partners on terms of mutual respect.