Solar Energy News
TERROR WARS
French, Russian defence ministers hold rare talks after Moscow attack
French, Russian defence ministers hold rare talks after Moscow attack
By Daphn� BENOIT
Paris (AFP) April 3, 2024

French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Wednesday told Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in rare telephone talks that France is ready to step up exchanges to battle "terrorism" after the deadly Moscow attack claimed by Islamic State.

The pair also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Lecornu reaffirming French support for Ukraine's fight against Russia, the French defence ministry said.

Such a high-level contact between a senior Russian official close to President Vladimir Putin and a top minister from a European power has been rare in the two years since Russia's invasion.

The one-hour talks between Shoigu and Lecornu came as France steps up preparations to host the Olympic Games this year. The March 22 attack on a Moscow concert hall revived security fears for the Paris Games which begin on July 26.

Lecornu told Shoigu that France was always ready to face down "terrorism" and was prepared for "increased exchanges with the aim of fighting this threat as effectively as possible," a French defence ministry statement said.

Putin has acknowledged that "radical Islamists" conducted the attack in Moscow that left at least 144 people dead, but suggested they were linked to Ukraine.

Lecornu said that France had no information to establish a link to Ukraine, calling on Moscow "to stop all instrumentalisation" of the attack, the ministry said.

Lecornu reiterated "France's firm condemnation and solidarity with the victims and their families," the ministry said, adding that he "also unreservedly condemned the war of aggression that Russia has launched in Ukraine."

- 'Fight for freedom' -

Lecornu reminded Shoigu that "France will continue to support Ukraine as long and as intensely as necessary in its fight for freedom and sovereignty, in order to bring peace and security to the European continent," the French ministry added.

President Emmanuel Macron said in March that France had offered Russian security services "increased cooperation" -- adding that there would be contact on a "technical and ministerial level" rather than direct talks with Putin.

France's Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said Wednesday that there was no "specific" terror threat to the Paris Olympics and that organisers were planning to go ahead with the opening ceremony on the river Seine with hundreds of thousands lining the banks.

France has been targeted by Islamist extremists multiple times, and French authorities have asked foreign allies to send several thousand security forces to help guard the Olympics, underlining the strains caused by the sporting extravaganza.

The French leader tried in a series of phone calls in 2022 to warn Putin against invading Ukraine and travelled to Moscow early that year.

He kept up phone contact with Putin even after the invasion but talks have now ceased, with the last call between the presidents dating back to September 2022.

Macron has in recent months toughened his line against Russia, refusing to rule out putting troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Lecornu and Shoigu last held phone talks in October 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call in April 2023, and Shoigu spoke to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin the month before.

Lavrov regularly travels to G20 meetings, but there is no indication he speaks directly with Western officials there.

Related Links
The Long War - Doctrine and Application

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TERROR WARS
Five Chinese dam workers, driver killed in Pakistan suicide attack
Peshawar, Pakistan (AFP) Mar 27, 2024
Five Chinese nationals working on a major dam construction site were killed along with their driver on Tuesday when a suicide bomber targeted their vehicle in northwest Pakistan, officials said. Their vehicle plunged into a deep ravine off the mountainous Karakoram Highway after the bomber rammed his car into them and detonated his explosives, police said. Beijing has poured billions of dollars into Pakistan in recent years, but Chinese-funded projects have sparked resentment and their citizens ... read more

TERROR WARS
Transforming CO2 into green fuel with innovative sunlight-powered catalyst

Turning CO2 into Methanol at Room Temperature

Tripling the US Bioeconomy: The Billion-Ton Report's Blueprint for Sustainable Biomass

Greenhouse gas repurposed in University of Auckland experiments

TERROR WARS
UN chief 'deeply troubled' by reports Israel using AI to identify Gaza targets

Microsoft says China using AI to sow division in US

AI a 'game changer' but company execs not ready: survey

Apple explores making personal robots: report

TERROR WARS
Swedish-Belgian group wins Norway's first offshore wind license

Wind-powered Dutch ship sets sail for greener future

Leaf-shaped generators create electricity from the wind and rain

European offshore wind enjoys record year in 2023

TERROR WARS
Electric cars credited with lower CO2 emissions in US neighborhoods

Elon Musk says Tesla will unveil robotaxi in August

Tesla reports drop in auto sales, while Toyota sees US surge

Green truckin': US finalizes new heavy-vehicle pollution standards

TERROR WARS
Innovative Seron Electronics Paves the Way for Accessible Scientific Research

Dig deep: US bets on geothermal to become renewable powerhouse

Setting a laser like sight on a path to practical fusion

Unveiling a new class of plasma waves: implications for fusion energy

TERROR WARS
Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant damaged in drone attack

Russia says Ukraine drone hit Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

US nuclear industry upbeat on small reactors, despite setback

France eyes spent uranium plant to bypass Russia: ministry

TERROR WARS
US Fed should avoid climate change 'mission creep': Powell

Iraq to import electricity from Jordan

Research highlights Australia's carbon credit 'catastrophe'

Poorer countries need money before raising climate targets: COP29 head

TERROR WARS
Despite gains in Brazil, forest destruction still 'stubbornly' high: report

Europe's overlooked Aspen forests: key to enhancing biodiversity and climate resilience

Presidents of Brazil, France announce green investment plan on Amazon visit

Planting trees in wrong places heats the planet: study

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.