“I sincerely wish you success in government activities, good health and well-being,” the Russian president said in his message to Macron, according to the Kremlin’s official website.

Relations between Moscow and Paris are not at their highest point since the beginning of the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

However, telephone contact between the two heads of state is maintained to deal with issues related to the search for solutions to the armed conflict.

France is part of the group of European Union countries that deployed harsh economic, trade and financial sanctions against Russia after the start of hostilities.

pgh/llp/jf/mml