Putin "prepared" to have a dialogue with Macron, French researcher facing espionage charges has hope of release
Moscow - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia has made an offer to France regarding a detained French researcher who faces espionage charges and could be sentenced to 20 years in prison. This unexpected public gesture has raised hopes for Laurent Vinatier's family, expecting him to be released as soon as possible. AFP said that both Russia and France expressed interest in facilitating a meeting between President Putin and President Macron.
Last week, after a French journalist asked Putin about the case of Vinatier during a press conference, Putin said he would investigate it.
Putin said he knew nothing about Vinatier's situation, but promised to investigate the case. He said, "If there is even the slightest possibility of a favorable resolution, we will do everything possible as long as Russian law allows it."
The Kremlin said over the weekend that Putin was "prepared" to have a dialogue with Macron.
Previously, during a series of diplomatic efforts around the war in Ukraine, Macron also said it was possible that he would soon speak with Putin.
Macron urged Russia to release Vinatier, saying he was unjustly detained, and that the "propaganda" against him did not match the facts.
AFP said that Vinatier was one of many Westerners arrested in Russia since Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1852622691186762/
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