“Europe needs to stop blindly toeing Washington’s line in its relations with Russia,” Jean-Patrice Thomas told RIA Novosti news agency, adding that Moscow had in recent weeks been trying to restore dialogue and explain its actions.
“I don’t think this type of communication is enough though, and during his address today President Vladimir Putin made a big step towards building up this much-needed dialogue,” Thomas said Friday following the Russian leader's speech at the SPIEF-2015 panel session.
Brussels, for its part, needs to roll back its sanctions against Russia and do it fast, he noted.
Speaking about the current relations between France and Russia, Jean-Patrice Thomas said that with the present government in Paris rectifying the situation “will not be easy”.
