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Franco-Russian relations throughout history have been characterized by ups and downs. Twice in history, our countries were allies – during the First and Second World Wars. At other times, the relationship between them was clouded by tensions and wars. Despite the periodic cooling, the cultural dialogue remained constant. This logic has been preserved in our time. The rapprochement between France and Russia during the rule of J. Chirac was quite unexpected. «Atlantist» N. Sarkozy, who was viewed in the Russian Federation as an adversary, took an active part in resolving the Russian-Georgian conflict, and his Prime Minister F. Fillon was even called a «friend» of V.V. Putin. The presidency of N. Sarkozy ended with the signing of an agreement on the deal of the French aircraft carriers Mistral to Russia. In the presidential campaign of E. Macron, Russia did not occupy an important place. Despite this, V.V. Putin became one of the first heads of state who paid an official visit to France immediately after the election of E. Macron. There are constant contacts between the leaders of the two countries. There is cooperation between the countries in the field of security and the fight against terrorism; there are economic relations; cultural dialogue is developing. However, there are no major breakthroughs and most likely they should not be expected in the near future. In an interview with the director of the French-Russian analytical center «Observo» Arnaud Dubien given to N.Yu. Lapina, the specifics of relations between the two countries and the difficulties that arise along the way are analyzed.

More than a year after it starts, the Ukrainian crisis seems to be entering a new phase. So-called 'Minsk-2' agreements, signed on 12 February by Vladimir Putin, Petro Poroshenko, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel, have put an end to military operations in the Donbass and opened up the prospect of a political settlement. However, the case is far from closed. For if the opinions differ on the responsibilities of the protagonists, the policies to be followed and the scenarios for the future, a point made unanimously in the chancelleries and among analysts: the impact of current diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West will be sustainable. Adapted from the source document.

Syria, Ukraine, the Sochi Winter Olympics, the presidency of the G20 (September 2013) and the G8 (as of January 1, 2014)... Russia has more than ever played a central role on the world stage in recent months. There is a widespread belief that Vladimir Putin's ultimate plan is to rebuild the Russian empire and launch his country into a new cold war with the West. But in fact the master of the Kremlin is a pragmatist at heart. It was cold calculation that led him to throw his weight behind Bashar al-Assad and then mastermind the deal that persuaded Syria to give up its chemical weapons. Similarly, his determination to keep Ukraine in his back pocket owes less to ideological motives than purely strategic reasons: Russia has a long border with Ukraine and needs its neighbor's pipelines to export its oil and gas. Vladimir Putin's Russia is not anti-Western, it is pro-Russian - a distinction worth bearing in mind when dissecting his actions. Adapted from the source document.

Since his arrival at the Kremlin in 2000, Vladimir Putin has set about reestablishing state control over production of the country's main energy resources, gas & oil. The rebellious oligarchs have been taught a lesson & their companies have been nationalized or handed over to businessmen faithful to the Putin regime. Thanks to its energy resources, Russia can once again play a major role on the international scene. Not only has Putin "punished" Ukraine for its "orange revolution" by significantly raising the price of natural gas it delivers, he has also imposed on his Western customers pipeline routes favorable to Russia. But energy is a two-edged sword. Putin's brutal use of it has also damaged Moscow's credibility, particularly in the eyes of its European partners. & the former Soviet republics are more eager than ever to escape the clutches of their overpowering "big brother.". Adapted from the source document.