In contrast to German chancellor Angela Merkel and US president Donald Trump who assured British prime minister Theresa May they were taking her government’s views on possible Russian involvement extremely seriously, President Emmanuel Macron and other French officials have declined to mention Russia.

After France initialled condemned the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter and expressed solidarity with Britain on Tuesday, French government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux on Wednesday said it was too early for Paris to decide whether action should be taken.

“We don’t do fantasy politics. Once the elements are proven, then the time will come for decisions to be made,” Griveaux told a news conference shortly after May said she was expelling Russian diplomats and suspending bilateral talks.

While he called the attack a “very serious act” on a strategic ally, Griveaux said France was waiting for “definitive conclusions” and evidence that the “facts were completely true” before taking a position.

France’s muted reaction is in contrast with its closest allies, but is in line with Macron’s efforts since coming into office to build a new relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Rather than directly confronting Putin through threats and megaphone diplomacy, he has emphasised private dialogue, while pushing for a restoration of business and cultural ties despite existing European Union sanctions on Moscow.

Diplomats say Macron believes ostracising Moscow will not yield results given its importance on the world stage and role in world crises. Despite obvious differences, he believes it is vital to keep a working relationship going with Russia.

Standing alongside Putin last May at the Chateau de Versailles, Macron heralded the start to a new page in relations after tensions under the previous administration. He said at the time that he wouldn’t let differences over Syria, Ukraine and human rights strain their relationship.

Nearly a year on, there is little evidence to suggest he has gained anything tangible from the alternative approach in terms of foreign policy successes. However, he is due to be the guest of honour at an investor forum in St Petersburg at the end of May where a large French business delegation will also be present.

“France has a policy on Russia that it’s going to stick to. There’s no reason for this to knock that off target,” a French official said. “You’ve got to remember there are pretty close ties between France and Russia, whether around literature, culture and business, and they are important.”

Interesting position from Macron, of course he's not 'suitable PM material' either and should be boo'ed for not standing behind R Theresa.

we’re really heading into the next world war aren’t we

The comment about the Tories accepting a lot of money from Russia?

It was the PERFECT time to bring it up. It is the truth.

Speaking as someone who grew up during the Cold War period, current events are certainly no worse than happened back then, so I suggest there's no reason to panic.
It might be, but OTOH you have a tendency to believe the worst of the Tories in any given situation...

I am fuming. Did anyone hear what Russia's UN ambassador said about us Brits? Was live on Sky News which I watched whilst waiting for the second Corrie. He said we're "easily influenced and not very well educated" His exact words. Damned cheek, couldn't believe it. At first I thought I'd misheard but no, wife heard it too and was as shocked as me.

Like, it is fact? You can research it yourself? It's not believing the worst, as it simply IS the worst - it is fact.

Corbyn was perfectly entitled to question the evidence. That's part of his job.

While it is hard to reach any conclusion other than that Russia was directly involved in the attack, there are unanswered questions. In particular, why did they use a substance that was so easily traceable back to Russia? Its not exactly subtle is it?