Candidate To EU Parliament Mariani Hopes To Meet With Putin As Such Opportunity Emerged

Thierry Mariani, a candidate in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament and the co-president of the Franco-Russian Dialogue Association, expressed hope on Saturday that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as such an opportunity had emerged

SEVASTOPOL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th March, 2019) Thierry Mariani, a candidate in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament and the co-president of the Franco-Russian Dialogue Association, expressed hope on Saturday that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as such an opportunity had emerged.

The delegation of French lawmakers headed by Mariani arrived in Crimea with a visit on Wednesday ahead of celebrations of the fifth anniversary of the peninsula's reunification with Russia.

"Suddenly, an opportunity appeared for us to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Perhaps we will be able to meet with him, we need to work this out," Mariani said.

Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014, when 97 percent of those who participated in the referendum on the matter supported the reunification. The reunification was not recognized by Ukraine or Western states, which subsequently imposed economic and political sanctions on Moscow. Russia has repeatedly stated that the referendum was conducted in compliance with international law.