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France's Sarkozy meets Putin, says West too tough on Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy shake hands during their meeting in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy shake hands during their meeting in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday. (Sergei Chirikov/Pool Photo via AP) (Sergei Chirikov/Pool Photo via AP)
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span class="inline inline-center">Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy shake hands during their meeting in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday. (Sergei Chirikov/Pool Photo via AP)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged the West to stop isolating Russia, and met with Vladimir Putin on an unusual diplomatic foray.
Putin hosted Sarkozy in his Moscow region residence Thursday. The former French leader said "Russia and Europe have to work together" to end current tensions, particularly in Syria.
He added, "the world needs Russia."
Sarkozy's trip and warm relations with Putin have angered some in France who see that as potentially damaging for current diplomatic efforts. Sarkozy is hoping to return to the French presidency in 2017.
In a speech to a Moscow university, Sarkozy said, "We should in no way accept a new cold war, as this will be a defeat both for you and us," according to Russian news agencies. (kes)(+)
