France and Russia have always had close economic ties. This remains the case under President Nicolas Sarkozy. He is even considering selling sensitive French naval equipment to Moscow in what could constitute the most important transfer of military equipment to Russia by a Nato member state.

Now it seems that Paris may be preparing to welcome one of Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin's favourite oligarchs, Oleg Deripaska. He is considering floating Rusal - the leading Russian aluminium group he controls - on the Paris stock exchange.