France Stopped Dialogue With Russia After Scandal With Shoigu

The Foreign Minister accused Moscow of lying.

Dialogue with Russia no longer in France's 'interest' according to the French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné.

"It is not in our interest currently to hold discussions with Russian officials because the statements and the summaries issued about them are lies," Le Monde quoted the Foreign Minister.

He noted that it would be possible to resume the dialogue only after the return of trust. "Perhaps above all have the military situation develop on the ground in Ukraine to enable a renewal of relations. This is not currently the case," said Séjourné.

Dialog between the Ministers of Defense of the Russian Federation and France: what is

On April 3, it became known that French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu had his first phone conversation with Sergei Shoigu since October 2022. In Paris, they said that they discussed the terrorist attack in Moscow. The minister also condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and said that France would continue to support the Ukrainians.

Meanwhile, Moscow said that in this conversation, the ministers noted "readiness for dialogue on Ukraine." According to Reuters, this is a lie - France did not show any readiness for dialogue on Ukraine.

President Emmanuel Macron said the call came because of Paris' willingness to share “useful information” about the terrorist attack in Moscow.