The bear in the room: François Fillon and the lurch towards Russia

No EU head of state has yet dared to break the EU’s consensus on sanctions against Russia. Will François Fillon be the first if he becomes President of France in 2016.

ESO: Background information: In Fillon, conservative voters choose a clear vision for France http://www.europeansources.info/record/in-fillon-conservative-voters-choose-a-clear-vision-for-france/

EurActiv, 29.11.16: Russia rejoices as France turns towards Moscow http://www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/russia-rejoices-as-france-turns-towards-moscow/

Politico, 23.11.16: François Fillon, Thatcherite with a thing for Russia http://www.politico.eu/article/francois-fillon-thatcherite-with-a-thing-for-russia-juppe-france/

ESO: Background information: EU preparing to extend Russia sanctions for six months http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-preparing-to-extend-russia-sanctions-for-six-months/

The Local.fr, 28.11.16: Russia hails Francois Fillon (as a worried Germany looks on) http://www.thelocal.fr/20161128/russian-media-hail-fillon-as-a-worried-germany-looks-on

ESO: Background information: Should the West Impose More Sanctions on Russia? http://www.europeansources.info/record/judy-asks-should-the-west-impose-more-sanctions-on-russia/

The Economist, 03.12.16: Charlemagne: France’s election shows Europe’s line against Russia is fraying http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21711030-fran-ois-fillons-win-bodes-ill-eu-sanctions-frances-election-shows-europes-line-against

Politico, 21.11.16: The new Putin coalition http://www.politico.eu/article/the-new-vladimir-putin-coalition-russia-donald-trump-francois-fillon-juri-ratas-rumen-radev-igor-dodon-geert-wilders-alexis-tsipras-viktor-orban/

Politico 05.12.16: Fillon’s Russophilia heads for reality check http://www.politico.eu/article/francois-fillons-russophilia-heads-for-reality-check-france-elections/

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