Putin congratulates Macron on French election victory

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent France's President-elect Emmanuel Macron a telegram to congratulate him after his election victory on Sunday.

Putin also told him that Russia was ready for constructive work on bilateral and global issues, the Kremlin said on today.

This follows his victory in the first round against France’s mainstream parties.

In a telegram to Macron, Putin said: "The citizens of France have trusted you with leading the country at a difficult time for Europe and the whole world community.

"The growth in threats of terrorism and militant extremism is accompanied by an escalation of local conflicts and the destabilisation of whole regions.

"In these conditions it is especially important to overcome mutual mistrust and unite efforts to ensure international stability and security," Putin told Macron.