Russia attaches very great importance to relations with France, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting with the far-right French election candidate Marine Le Pen.

According to Putin, Russia is trying to maintain equal relations both with the representatives of the current government and the opposition.

“I know, of course, that French campaign is in progress now. We do not want to somehow influence the events, but we reserve the right to communicate with all representatives of all political forces of the country, as our partners in Europe and the United States are doing,” he said.

 In turn Le Pen noted that this meeting is especially important, as there is a serious terrorist threat.

“We are among those countries which are real fighters against terrorism. Only together we can overcome this scourge. Russia continues to fight terrorism in Syria, France participated in the operation in Chad, we fought terrorism in Mali. This is the only way to overcome terrorism. Unfortunately, it is necessary to resort to military presence,” she said.