TEHRAN (FNA)- Russian President Vladimir Putin said French President Emmanuel Macron's idea of creating an EU army is not new, calling it a clear and natural desire to ensure security.
"As for the alternative all-European armed forces, this is not a new idea, now president Macron has revived it, one former president, Jacques Chirac, told me about this, but such ideas had existed even before him. In principle, Europe is a powerful economic formation, a powerful economic union and, in general, it is quite natural that they want to be independent, self-sufficient, sovereign in the field of defence and security," Putin said in an interview, RIA Novosti reported.
The Russian president stressed that such an idea is "a generally positive process in terms of strengthening the multi-polarity of the world”.
"In this sense, our positions overlap with France," Putin added.
On Sunday, Putin also stated that he’s had no chance to talk with his US counterpart Donald Trump yet, not excluding that a conversation could take place at a working lunch in Paris.
"We haven't [talked] yet, we just greeted each other ... The ceremony was done in such a way that it was impossible to communicate there, we were watching what was happening. But there will be a working dinner now, so we may [talk] there," Putin said.
The Russian president added that the two sides had agreed they would hold no bilateral meetings in Paris so as not to disrupt the schedule of the hosting nation.
"At their request, we will not organise any meeting here, but it may be held on the sidelines of the G20 meeting or later," Putin noted.
The Russian leader said Moscow is ready for dialogue with Washington, adding that Russia isn't the one leaving INF Treaty.
Putin also stressed that Russia is trying not to conduct drills near borders with NATO countries.
Russia hopes to restore full-scale negotiations with the United States, according to Putin.
According to the programme distributed by the Elysée Palace, 2.5 hours were allotted for lunch. In accordance with the seating arrangements, Putin and Trump are sitting side by side at the same table. Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, will be Putin’s other neighbour at lunch, while Macron, will be Trump’s.