YEREVAN, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in France to meet new French leader Emmanuel Macron. Macron, who in the past has been critical of Moscow, is hosting Putin at the Chateau de Versailles, just outside Paris, RT reports.

Macron invited Putin to participate in the inauguration of a major exhibition celebrating the 300th anniversary of Peter the Great’s diplomatic visit to France in 1717.

“I have respect for Russia, and I invite Vladimir Putin in the framework of a three hundred year diplomatic relationship,” Macron said this weekend.

Macron has also acknowledged the importance of dialogue with Russia in resolving certain international problems, such as Syria and Ukraine, which he plans to discuss during his meeting with Putin.

“Many international problems cannot be resolved without Russia,” Macron said at a news conference after the two-day meeting of G7 leaders in Sicily, which wrapped up Saturday.

Putin’s visit will also afford an opportunity for the two leaders to “discuss the state and the prospects of development of Russo-French relations in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

“The presidents will discuss the state of political contacts, which do not satisfy the Russian side,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov added on Friday.

Answering questions from journalists, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the issue of fighting terrorism will be the main focus of Putin and Macron’s meeting. 
The subject of combatting terrorism will occupy “a very important [place], it is an integral part of the negotiations,” he added.