France Hates Russia For Kicking It Out Of Africa – Putin (Photos)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that French President Emmanuel Macron’s sharp reaction to Moscow may be related to actions in Africa. The heightened Russian influence in Africa has caused an “emotional reaction” in French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Yes, I think there is some kind of resentment. But when we maintained direct contact with him, we spoke quite openly on this topic. We did not go into Africa and did not squeeze France out of there,” Putin said.
The president noted that in many countries where France has historically been a metropolis, they do not really want to deal with Paris, although there are other African countries where they are calm about the French presence.
“But we have nothing to do with it, we are not inciting anyone there, we are not setting anyone up against France. We do not have such tasks. To be honest, we do not have such state, national tasks there at the level of the Russian state. We are just friends with them – that’s all. They want to develop relations with us. Well, for God’s sake, we are willing to do that. There’s nothing to be offended about,” he added.
Putin went on to say that Russia did not thrust itself into Africa and did not squeeze France out of there; African leaders themselves wanted to work with the Russian Federation.
“We did not push anyone out. It is just that the African leaders of some countries agreed with Russian economic operators and wanted to work with them but did not want to work with the French in some way. It was not our initiative, it was the initiative of our African friends. But it is unclear why they should be offended at us in this regard,” he said.
Putin noted that an independent state wants to develop relations with its partners from other countries, including Russia.
“We did not touch them, the former French colonialists in these countries. Well, yes, I even say this without irony because in many countries where France has historically been a metropolis, they do not really want to deal with them,” he said. “We have nothing to do with it. So, it is probably more convenient to be offended by someone without seeing your own problems.” The President suggested that “such an acute reaction, quite emotional on the part of the French president, is also related to what is happening in some African states.”
