Hypocritical French: After winning the World Cup, they immediately closed their sales office in Russia

France has decided to close its trade office in Russia after, as she announced on Monday, long negotiations with the authorities there after the deportation of the head of the agency.

Relations between Russia and the European Union have worsened since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, its intervention in Syria and its engagement in eastern Ukraine, and the poisoning of a former Russian dual Russian agent in March in Britain. "The working conditions of the French representation have worsened considerably over the last few months," the French embassy said in a statement, adding that the agency was exposed to "unlawful seizures in its bank accounts, even though it was protected by the Vienna Convention (on diplomatic relations)."

The West introduced Moscow economic and financial sanctions for the annexation of Crimea and its role in the Ukrainian conflict. Russian news agency Interfax reported the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry that it was surprised by the decision of Paris and the claim that the diplomatic status of the representative office was not recognized. "It is a wish of the French side. We are for the development of trade relations, "Interfax quoted the ministry as saying.

In March, Russia expelled more EU diplomats, including four of France, in returning to Western countries, who were expelled by Russian diplomats earlier because of the poisoning of a former Russian spy. Moscow denies being involved in poisoning the agent. Russia announced in June that France 24 would be able to revoke the license to work for French television station France 24.

• 18 Jul, 2018
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