Paris. January 5th. INTERFAX - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that during consultations with European partners, he stressed the importance of their close coordination before discussions with Russia in various formats in the coming week, believes that it is necessary to conduct a "demanding dialogue" with the Russian Federation.
"In this regard, I insisted on the responsibility of the Europeans for their contribution and active participation with concrete proposals in the preparation and conduct of these discussions with Russia, which affect their own security interests," the French Foreign Minister said in a statement released on Wednesday.
"A demanding dialogue with Russia based on parameters that we regard as consistent with our collective security interests is useful and necessary to strengthen strategic stability in Europe," Le Drian said in a statement.
The minister also said that he reminded his international interlocutors, as follows from the conclusions of the European Council in December 2021, of the "grave consequences and high price" for Russia, including new restrictive measures, in the event of "any new military aggression against Ukraine." In this regard, there will be close coordination between European countries, as well as within the framework of transatlantic relations.
In addition, the French Foreign Minister noted, he spoke to his partners about the continuation of France's efforts in the Normandy format in order to de-escalate tensions in and around Ukraine and move towards the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which remain the only basis for a lasting solution to the Ukrainian crisis.
