The Eiffel Tower in Paris. File photoPARIS Jan 23 French Foreign Secretary Clement Bon said France's withdrawal from NATO would be a gift for Russia. sometimes it would be crazy to give the impression that there are disagreements in the West…, (that would be) the greatest gift that can be given to Russia,» Bon said on the Europe1 radio station, commenting on the situation around Ukraine.
French Foreign Minister to discuss Ukraine's NATO membership with BlinkenAccording to the French Secretary of State, Paris is not preparing for war, but for a «difficult situation» for which Europeans must be prepared react «at any moment.» Bon also added that French President Emmanuel Macron expressed readiness to strengthen the eastern flank of NATO in Romania. Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» from Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone. Russia has repeatedly rejected the accusations of the West and Ukraine of «aggressive actions», stating that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to deploy more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. >French presidential candidate says he wants to withdraw the country from NATO
