New Cold War looms unless Europe embraces Vladimir Putin, warns Nicolas Sarkozy
FORMER French president Nicolas Sarkozy has warned of a potential new Cold War unless Europe embraces Russia.
Nicolas Sarkozy has urged Europe to embrace Russia
Mr Sarkozy met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow where he called on the West to stop isolating Russia saying Europe needs to work with it.
The meeting was an unusal diplomatic foray during which the former French premier said it was essential that Europe and Russia presents a united fron to end current tensions, particularly in Syria.
Russia Airstrikes in Syria
Mr Sarkozy said: “The world needs Russia.”
His trip and warm relations with Mr Putin have angered some in France who see it as potentially damaging for current diplomatic efforts. Sarkozy is hoping to return to the French presidency in 2017.
Vladimir Putin is popular in Russia
In a speech at Moscow university, Mr Sarkozy said: "We should in no way accept a new Cold War as this will be a defeat both for you and us.”
Mr Sarkozy’s calls come as Putin’s bombing campaign against Islamic State (ISIS) has seen his approval ratings in Russia rocket to an all-time high.
Russia has been dropping bombs in Syria leaving buildings destroyed
Almost 90 per cent of Russians support their president's bid to obliterate the evil jihadis according to a Moscow-based polling agency.
Figures released by state-run pollsters VTSIOM claim that the leader's approval ratings see a huge spike every time he involves the country in a military operation.
Destroyed buildings in Syria
They say that Mr Putin's ratings first broke the 80 per cent mark after his annexation of Crimea and have continued to climb since.
The results suggest that the firebrand leader's foreign interventions are proving enough to distract ordinary Russians from the dire state of the country's economy.