Macron congratulates Putin on re-election

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday wished Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin success in modernizing Russia, noting that it is essential to maintain ties and "constructive dialogue" with Russia despite differences.

"In the name of France, the French president offered Russia and the Russian people his wishes for success with the modernization of the country on the political, democratic, economic and social fronts," Macron's office said in a statement.

"The French president underlined his conviction that cooperation between Europe and Russia is essential for the security of the European continent and in the interests of our countries," the statement added.