Vladimir Putin has met Marine Le Pen in an event which is likely to cause uproar in the international community.
The French far-right presidential candidate met the Russian President in Moscow, where - according to Russian media reports - Le Pen was told Russia had no intention of influencing the upcoming election in France.
According to Russia Today, Mr Putin told the leader of France's Front National the Russian government reserves the right to meet any politician it chooses.
Mr Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told a press conference the visit had nothing to with fundraising for Le Pen's French presidential candidacy.
He said the meeting instead focused on the global fight against terrorism, specifically the need for Russia and France to join together and the common threats the two countries face.
Le Pen is among the frontrunners for the French presidency, alongside Emmanuel Macron and Francois Fillon.
Follow Us