In Versailles, he and Macron inaugurated an exhibition marking the visit of Russia's modernising tsar Peter the Great to Versailles in 1717. But they're "totally distinct from diplomatic contacts" of Macron and his government, Bay said.
"It's indispensable to talk to Russian Federation because there are a number of worldwide subjects that will not be resolved without a tough dialogue with them", Macron told reporters at the end of the G7 summit on Saturday, where the Western leaders agreed to consider new measures against Moscow if the situation in Ukraine did not improve.
Macron stressed out that France saw a "red line" in Syria in terms of the use of chemical weapons. Putin, who supports al-Assad, said he believes the stability of the Syrian state is crucial to combatting terrorism.
"Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism and the eradication of terrorist groups and Daesh in particular", he said, using an alternate name for the Daesh group that has claimed several deadly attacks in France. Putin also commented to Macron on a painting depicting Russian empress Catherine the Great. Afterwards Macon said the talks had been "cordial but not innocent".
"I will be constantly vigilant on these issues", Macron said.
BEARDSLEY: Macron and Putin said their meeting was frank, direct, and they spoke of every topic from the Ukraine war to gays being killed in Chechnya.
Then during the French election campaign, the Macron camp alleged Russian hacking and disinformation efforts, at one point refusing accreditation to the Russian state-funded Sputnik and RT news outlets, which it said were spreading Russian propaganda and fake news.
Mr Putin, seemingly unfazed during the conference in Versailles, later vehemently denied any suggestion that Russian Federation sought to influence the election speaking to reporters in Paris.
"They didn't act like media, like journalists".
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Earlier, Downing Street issued a statement saying the DUP had agreed to the principles of a proposal to support the Conservatives. He said there was a "possibility" of voting down the Queen's Speech and Labour were going to "push all the way" to achieve that.
"It was serious that these foreign press organs - under whatever influence there may have been, I don't know - interfered by reporting serious falsehoods in a democratic campaign", Macron added.
Margarita Simonyan, who oversees the Russia Today network from Moscow, responded with indignation.
Putin's visit to France was described as a working meeting timed to coincide with the opening of a show at the Grand Trianon, in the Versailles complex. However, Macron did seem interested when a Russian journalist asked him why his campaign had denied some reporters access.
The secretary-general of Le Pen's National Front party, Nicolas Bay, said Monday that "of course" Le Pen's contacts with Russian Federation continue and "there is no reason these contact wouldn't continue long-term".
After Moscow lost its bets in the French vote, the visit offers the Russian leader a chance to turn the page and try to establish ties with Macron as the Kremlin has struggled to mend a bitter rift in relations with the West.
But Macron had a more conciliatory tone after meeting with Putin.
"It is very important that we begin to dissipate the mistrust that has built up in recent years".
The Russian strongman, who hosted Macron's far-right rival Marine Le Pen for talks during the election race, also shrugged off allegations that Russian hackers infiltrated Macron's campaign.
Macron portrayed the Putin meeting as just a first step in resetting relations with Russian Federation.
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