France and Russia have agreed to exchange intelligence data on Islamic State and other terror groups in Syria to increase the effectiveness of their air campaigns in the country as Vladimir Putin received his French counterpart, Francois Hollande, in Moscow.
“France is ready to work hand in hand with Russia to achieve a common goal of fighting terror groups and Islamic State in the first place,” Hollande said after the talks on Thursday evening.
The two leaders have agreed that French and Russian airstrikes would be focused on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and other jihadist groups and facilities under their control.
“What we agreed, and this is important, is to strike only terrorists and Daesh (Islamic State) and to not strike forces that are fighting terrorism. We will exchange information about whom to hit and whom not to hit,” Hollande added.