Keyword: Russia

The cash-strapped far-right Front National has been forced to turn to Russian banks to help fund it.

French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault gave the warning after complaints by the party of centrist presidential election candidate Emmanuel Macron that his campaign was the target of 'fake news' put out by Russian media, including rumours about his private life, as well ascyber attacks on its databases.

The 32-year-old self-styled rebel political artist, who made headlines by nailing his scrotum to the ground in Red Square, says he and his partner fled to France to escape arrest in Russia for the alleged sexual assault of an actress, which he said was a trumped-up charge. 

Far-right Front National leader urged pact to fight Islamist fundamentalism as she took aim at her chief domestic rival, François Fillon.

For the first time since the end of the Cold War, argues Foreign Affairs magazine, Russia is a hot topic in the French presidential campaign.

Diplomatic sources said Paris and London have also raised the prospect of sanctions on 12 Russians involved in the Syrian conflict, adding them to the EU's list of some 200 people that also includes three Iranians, with similar sanctions against Syrian individuals.

French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said bombing of rebel-held parts of Syrian town of Aleppo by Russia and Damascus regime are war crimes over which Paris is to ask the International Criminal Court to launch an investigation.

France's  Security Council resolution demanded an end to air strikes and military flights over Syria’s city of Aleppo.

Alexander Shprygin, arrested in Toulouse only days after he was expelled from the country, is said to have 'crossed the Alps' to return to France.

Alexander Shprygin was among 43 fans held on Tuesday in southern France after serious violence et Russia’s Euro 2016 clash with England in Marseille.

After interception of a coach carrying Russian football fans suspected of hooliganism, Moscow warns Paris against a 'significant aggravation' in bilateral relations.

UEFA also fined the team 150,000 euros for rioting during match against England in Marseille, while Russian fans' coach was intercepted in Cannes.

French media reported three England fans were seriously injured in fierce fighting between English and Russian groups and locals.

The four-yearly football championship began Friday in Paris with a peaceful win for the French hosts 2-1 over Romania, while England fans battled police in Marseille.

The non-binding vote supports ending the EU sanctions slapped on Russia after it annexed Crimea and after tension escalated over Ukraine.