Putin, Macron vow to improve tense relations

French President Emanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have pledged to recover strained ties between their nations despite disagreements. Speaking to a group of journalists in the French capital Paris, the two leaders expressed willingness to work together on several issues including de-escalation of the Ukrainian crisis as well as tackling terrorism in Syria. Macron said their first priority is the fight against terrorism and uprooting terrorists groups including Daesh. The two presidents, however, remained at odds over a number of issues. The French president took aim at the Russian media for working against him during his presidential campaign. Putin for his part criticized anti-Moscow sanctions saying they will not help stabilize the situation in Ukraine’s east.

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