Photo: Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP
French President Emmanuel Macron is holding his first face-to-face talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin near Paris.
They met at the ornate Grand Trianon Palace at Versailles. Mr Macron said he expected some tough words.
The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral and international issues, including the settlement in Syria and Ukraine, the situation in Libya and on the Korean Peninsula and Russia’s relations with the European Union, Russian TASS news agency reports.
After the high-level private meeting, the two leaders will be joined by other members of delegations during a working breakfast. Later, the presidents will give a joint press conference.
The Russian and French leaders will also attend a large exhibition in the Royal Palace devoted to the 300th anniversary of Russian Tsar Peter the Great’s first trip to France. At the conclusion of his visit, Putin will leave Versailles for Paris to attend the Russian Cultural and Spiritual Center opened in October last year.
