"Dear Francois. Russia knows what terror is and what threats it poses to all of us. Our people have repeatedly faced similar tragedies and are deeply affected by what happened. We feel for the French people and stand in solidarity with them," Putin said.
Late on Thursday evening, a heavy truck rammed into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day in Nice, killing 84 and injuring dozens.
The driver was shot dead by police. According to documents found inside the truck, he was a 31-year-old man who was a resident of Nice of Tunisian origin.
Earlier in the day Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message to his French counterpart Francois Hollande that Russia remains ready for close counterterrorism cooperation with France following the deadly attack in Nice.
"The cruelty and cynicism of this crime, committed on your National Day, is astonishing. We have again seen that terrorism is absolutely unfamiliar with human morale, its victims are innocent civilians, including women and children," Putin said, as quoted by the Kremlin press service.
The Russian president reaffirmed that Russia is ready for "the closest cooperation with France and other international partners in all areas of counterterrorism" and believes in the need for humanity to unite in this fight.
