President Francois Hollande Meets With President Vladimir Putin

President Francois Hollande of France was able to secure a pledge of cooperation from President Vladimir Putin of Russia during the final leg of a diplomatic tour to secure support for its planned coordinated effort against ISIS.

A report by Eleanor Beardsley of NPR indicated that the two countries are still feeling the effects of the attacks claimed by ISIS that resulted to the death of their citizens. Hollande was in Russia to ask President Putin to concentrate his offensive efforts on ISIS rather than groups opposed to President Bashar al Assad.

The three major points were agreed upon by the two leaders are the sharing of intelligence, intensification and coordination of strikes, and avoid striking groups going against ISIS. President Francois Hollande considers the last point as a victory.

Following the November 13 Paris attacks, Hollande went around meeting President Barack Obama of the United States, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.

President Francois Hollande Meets With President Vladimir Putin - image credit: telegraph.co.uk

President Francois Hollande revealed that he agreed with Putin on a critical issue of focusing on the terrorists, Daesh or the Arab acronym of the Islamic State, along with jihadi groups and avoid hitting groups and forces fighting the terrorists. He added that they will exchange information on what should be hit and what should not be hit.

A common ground was established by the two leaders after ISIS targeted both countries. Putin told Hollande that they have the same position that compels them to unite their forces in their fight against the terrorists. Putin added that they are prepared to work with the French president.

However, there are still some inconsistencies in the approach of the two countries when it comes to dealing with Assad. President Francois Hollande said the Syrian president does not have a place in the future of Syria while President Vladimir Putin said the Syrian people should decide on the fate of Assad.

An increase in tension in the region was noted after a Russian warplane was shot down by Turkey close to its border with Syria. Turkey insisted that the Russian warplane was repeatedly warned by Turkish pilots that it had violated the airspace of Turkey before it was shot down.

Economic sanctions were being prepared by Russia against Turkey and measures may affect joint investment plans, according to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Posted by James Fried on Friday November 27 2015, 9:58 AM EDT. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0