Russia exerts influence in France with tree diplomacy – and loans to Le Pen

After Paris halted delivery of warships in protest over Ukraine, Moscow has hit back with a Christmas tree and €9m to the FN

The Chinese have panda diplomacy. The Russians, it appears, prefer trees.

France may have just announced it is delaying the delivery of two warships to Russia in a protest over the crisis in Ukraine, but the French capital’s celebrated Notre Dame Cathedral, in the French capital, is boasting an impressive 25-metre-high Christmas tree courtesy of Moscow.

Continue reading...



Source Network Front | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1y5Ldqu

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J