Macron breaks the diplomatic boycott in Russia and travels to see the game of France

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Russia to accompany the World Cup semi-final between France and Belgium on Tuesday 10. The information was confirmed this week by the Palace of the United States. Elysee, government. The trip will have no diplomatic reason: Macron will return the same day to France, after the end of the match in St. Petersburg, and there are no other events scheduled at the official day.

His presence is not new; In May, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Macron commented that he would return to Russia in 2018 to observe the French match when they reached the semi-finals – after the victory against the US. Uruguay – and the Final [19659002] Meanwhile, official confirmation calls into question a diplomatic boycott of Russia organized by Britain in March. Prime Minister Theresa May announced that no minister or member of the British Royal Family would travel to Russia to attend the World Cup, which has been consolidated until here.

The motive is the poisoning of former Russian spy Serguei Skripal to the British government, and also to his daughter. England blames the Russian government for the attack, while Moscow denies any involvement. The same substance poisoned a couple on June 30 in the same area, which technicians suspect of being caused by the poison's permanence in the environment.

International human rights groups have also called for a boycott of international leaders in Russia. of the position and interventions of the country in the Syrian war, in favor of the dictatorial government of Bashar al-Assad

Iceland, Australia and Denmark, in addition to the other governments of Eastern Europe, former Soviet stronghold, followed the decision of England. But in addition to Macron, the kings of Belgium and Spain traveled to Russia to attend the matches of the national team. The World Cup was an opportunity for President Vladimir Putin to hold parallel meetings with leaders of international states at a delicate time for Russia on the world stage.

Macron did not announce a meeting with Putin and addressed a number of criticisms. To the Russian government in recent months, the Kremlin spokesman said: "We are happy that the President of France is coming."