1 big difference between French primary candidates: Russia
PARIS — Perhaps the biggest difference between the two men competing in France’s conservative presidential primary is how they view Vladimir Putin’s Russia. And whatever French voters decide in Sunday’s primary runoff, it’s pretty clear what Putin’s preference would be.
Francois Fillon, who polls suggest is the front-runner, wants to end sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine, work alongside Russia against the Islamic State group, and insists “Russia poses no threat to the West.”
His rival, Alain Juppe, is sticking close to France’s current line: keeping up pressure on Putin to make peace with Ukraine and to stop bombing Syrian opposition groups on behalf of President Bashar Assad.