France's ex-president Sarkozy advises Russia to take initiative to help lift sanctions

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday that Russia should initiate the process of lifting economic sanctions if it wants the European Union to eliminate the anti-Moscow sanctions.

Sarkozy, who is here attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, believes that there is a necessity to remove those sanctions, but "the strongest," which he said is Russia, should "extend a hand first."

He said he had made this proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on Wednesday, but he declined to disclose Putin's response.

Russian officials have insisted that it was up to the West to start lifting sanctions it introduced, as the sanctions were hitting not only Russia but also the West itself.

"We have enough problems besides them. We cannot afford to suffer," said Sarkozy.

He voiced his public opposition to the United States "dictating relations between Russia and Europe," saying that "it is up to Russians and Europeans to decide (their relations)."

The West has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia over its takeover of the Crimean peninsula and alleged interference in the Ukraine crisis since 2014.

Moscow, in response, has banned the import of some foodstuffs and other products from countries that introduced the restrictions.

Sarkozy said he came to Russia in a bid to contribute to preventing a new Cold War between Russia and Europe, as their relations "have never been so cold." Endi