Russia-France: A Strained Political Relationship.

While the French government seeks to build an economic relationship with Russia, French society is concerned about growing authoritarianism in the country. Additionally, there are differences in regard to energy, defense policies, EU relations to the Eastern Partnership countries (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan), and UN resolutions against dictators' use of indiscriminate violence, as in Syria. Economic relations are unbalanced, given Russia's heavy reliance on exporting hydrocarbons, and there are few signs that the situation will change soon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]