MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax) - The United States is using economic levers in an attempt to put pressure on France, Russian Ambassador to Paris Alexander Orlov told Interfax.
"The U.S. is trying to exert pressure on France to a certain extent. For these purposes, it [the U.S.] is using all levers available, primarily economic ones," he said.
However, it would be wrong to say that Paris fully depends on Washington, Orlov said.
"It is absolutely wrong to think that France has no say at all and that this country is a puppet in the hands of the U.S.," the diplomat said.
There are many French citizens who are critical of Washington's policies," he said.
"I can say that in France many people criticize U.S. policies and see that the interests of Europe and the U.S. often do not coincide," Orlov said.