The French President, Emmanuel Macron, stated on Monday that France has information indicating that the Islamic State (IS) was responsible for the attack at a concert hall in Moscow on Friday. He also warned Russia not to wrongly accuse Ukraine of being involved in the attack.
Macron informed reporters that France’s intelligence suggests that the attack was planned and executed by a group affiliated with the Islamic State.
He made these comments after arriving in French Guiana during his trip to the French South American region.
He added that “this particular group made several attempts (at attacks) on our own soil.”
Macron, however, advised Russia against any “exploitation” of the attack, saying it would be “cynical and counterproductive for Russia to use this context to try and turn it against Ukraine.”
ISIS has taken credit for the attack in Moscow on Friday evening, which resulted in the deaths of 137 people.
Moscow has chosen not to respond to the claim, as security services and President Vladimir Putin have hinted that the attackers could be connected to their rival Kyiv.
Macron mentioned that Paris has proposed “enhanced cooperation” with Russian security services, stating that communication will occur at a technical and ministerial level rather than through direct discussions with Putin.
