"And I have found both freedom and safety in my madness, the freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us. But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief. "

Khalil Gibran (How I Became a Madman)

Lübnan Marunîleri / Yasin Atlıoğlu

NEWS AND ARTICLES / HABERLER VE MAKALELER

Saturday, October 15, 2016

The Simple Truth Behind the Crisis in French-Russian Relations Over Syria- Sputnik News


Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin cancelled his planned trip to Paris after President Francois Hollande questioned the usefulness of a meeting with the Russian leader, citing the situation in Aleppo. However, according to Expert magazine contributor Igor Gashkov, Russia's the one with the grievance – and the reason is simple.

Hollande's demarche consisted of refusing to attend the opening of a church and Russian cultural center in the French capital, which President Putin was set to attend. According to Igor Gashkov, Elysee Palace effectively intended to turn the visit into a demonstration – a sign "that Paris does not feel solidarity with Moscow on any issue," not even culture. 


Putin responded coolly but firmly, cancelling the visit, citing a 'scheduling conflict', but also emphasizing that he remained open to meeting with Hollande in the future at the latter's convenience.  


In recent weeks, France unexpectedly stepped up to become a central critic of Moscow over Syria, citing the renewal of hostilities between the Syrian military and Western-sponsored militants, following the collapse of the Russian-US sponsored ceasefire of September 9.