Vladimir Putin’s interview with the French TV channel TF1 (transcript)

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: How did you end up here? This is a just a small provincial town. These days, you find French people wherever you go in Russia, in every village. This is very good and we are pleased to see it. Question (retranslated): Mr President, could you explain why you are not going to Paris? Vladimir Putin: It’s very simple. We had planned to hold an official opening ceremony for the newly built Russian religious and cultural centre in Paris. From