Presidents Putin and Hollande share the same goal of settling the conflict in Syria. But at a meeting in Moscow, talk of operating in 'parallel' shows there's still a clear divide in how Russia and France want to resolve the crisis.
Meeting Russia’s president in Moscow, President Francois
Hollande reiterated France’s position that Paris wanted to
see a more open “political dialogue” on Syria that would
"speak to all parties" in the two-year crisis.
The two states want to prevent the breakup of Syria first of
all; however, differences about how this should be achieved remain
a stumbling block for Paris and Moscow.
While France favors Syria without President Assad, Russia insists
that only the Syrians can decide their destiny.
"Despite the existing differences in the Russia and French
positions [on Syria], we are for keeping Syria an integral,
democratic state," Putin told a joint news conference after
talks with French President Francois Hollande.
Putin said that his French counterpart made some new proposals
during the meeting, which Russia’s president thinks “could be
discussed” with all partners.
"It seemed to me that this issue can't be resolved immediately
without a bottle of vodka, let alone a bottle of good wine. We will
have to sit and think," Putin joked, referring to a Russian
saying that highlights the complexity of a problem.
"It's better to do it over a bottle of port," Hollande said,
taking up the alcohol theme.
The meeting came a day after Russia’s Foreign Minister and US
secretary of State John Kerry also agreed to do “everything that
depends on Russia and the US” to create the conditions to begin
a dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition as soon
as possible.
‘We back France’s actions in Mali’
The two Presidents also showed unity while discussing France’s
operation in Mali. President Vladimir Putin said Russia backed the
French operation “to restore constitutional and democratic order in
the country."
In return President Hollande thanked Putin for Moscow's "support
of the military operation”.
Trade, energy, investment and technological cooperation were
other key topics on the agenda during Thursday’s talks in
Moscow.
It was agreed that six satellites will be put to orbit using the
Russian Soyuz rocket from the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana in
the second half of 2013. "Our joint program Soyuz in the Guiana
Space Center draws a lot of interest from consumers of space
services, satellite operators," Putin said.