Kremlin spokesman dismisses hopes for improved Franco-Russian relations

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow has "no hope or illusions" that the results of the French elections will improve relations between the two countries. The unexpected winner of the elections turned out to be the left-wing New People's Front.

Many reports by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. These reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.

The New People's Front won 182 seats, surpassing the centrist camp of President Emmanuel Macron, which secured 168 seats, and the right-wing National Rally (RN), which obtained 143 seats and was leading after the first round.

Putin's spokesman commented on the election results, indicating that he does not expect an improvement in mutual relations. "For Russia, the best thing would be the victory of political forces ready to make efforts to restore our bilateral relations," Dmitry Peskov said. "But for now, we do not see such clearly expressed political will from anyone, so we have no particular hopes or illusions in this regard," he added.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the Russian Duma, showed more optimism, stating that the French "showed Macron the door." "The same fate awaits all currently ruling European leaders who meddle in the sovereign affairs of other states, while their citizens demand they solve internal problems and develop the national economy," he emphasized in a statement posted on Telegram.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the results, criticising the second round. "It seems the second round was designed precisely to manipulate the will expressed by voters in the first round. It does not resemble democracy," he said.