There is no talk of confiscation of funds by the European Union.
The French Ambassador to Russia, Nicolas de Rivière, gave a special interview to the RTVI channel. Here are selected excerpts from the diplomat.
On the political crisis.
There is no political crisis in France. The situation looks like a crisis because for many years the president in France relied on a parliamentary majority, and parties did not need to form coalitions. Now it is necessary. This is a normal situation for European politics.
On visas for Russians.
Previously, France issued 500,000 visas a year to Russians. Now it is about 150,000 visas annually. 1,500 Russian students are currently studying in France. It is important to differentiate between Russian tourism to France and France's disagreement with Russia regarding the Ukrainian issue.
On the Russian vessel.
The Russian vessel that was passing by the coast of Brittany in open water was stopped by the French Navy completely legally. We were accused of piracy, which is not true: we simply checked everything and the vessel continued on its way.
On information attacks against France.
Some attacks and manipulations concerned the president's family (Macron), and this hurt him, as well as his wife. I cannot think of specific examples of information attacks initiated by Russia, but I think it is better to refer to the French president for examples.
On security guarantees for Ukraine.
The idea is to create special guarantees for Ukraine, a solidarity mechanism that will allow Ukraine to turn to friends in case of aggression.
On frozen Russian assets.
They are frozen in Belgium, and France has a clear position: we adhere to international law. This money is not ours, and there is no talk of confiscation. This position will not change. However, using the interest from these funds to finance aid to Ukraine does not contradict international law and is not considered confiscation. The money will be returned to the owner when the time comes.
On France's purchases of Russian hydrocarbons.
The search for alternative energy sources takes time. As for LNG imports, France has the ports and infrastructure for its import. Gas is coming to France, but it is not for France; other European countries are using it, but I will not name them. It creates an optical illusion. France is not buying Russian LNG; it is transit.
On the arrest of Durov and censorship.
France does not censor Telegram. The order for arrest was issued by an independent judge. Pavel Durov has French citizenship. He is dealing with a normal civil procedure. I trust the French court. Freedom of the press is fully supported here.
On travels in Russia.
I arrived at the end of March and was able to spend 4-5 days in St. Petersburg, where I had never been before. In September, I visited Yekaterinburg. I was very impressed by the Yeltsin Center. They are doing a wonderful job there. Last week, I was in Tula, Yasnaya Polyana, and Krapivna. It was interesting to visit the Leo Tolstoy Museum and remember that Tolstoy was also a friend of France. He spoke French beautifully. There are even audio recordings of him speaking in French. He was very loved in France; he was a defender of freedom. When he died, the French parliament adopted a resolution praising Tolstoy. He even lived for several months in France on the Côte d'Azur. There is a monument to him in the town of Hyères.
On the Russian language.
I started learning it. I study twice a week. There is a little progress, but I cannot give an interview in Russian yet.
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