France President Heads to Russia to Save Iran Nuclear Deal

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French President Emmanuel Macron heads to St. Petersburg Thursday for talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, whose support is key on matters ranging from salvaging the Iran nuclear deal to securing steady European gas supplies.

Business also is high on the agenda of Macron's two-day visit, which coincides with a key economic forum in St. Petersburg.

Some observers say Macron's trip comes within a broader context of thawing European relations with Russia, as seen in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Sochi last week, and deepening differences with Washington.

But as he pursues a policy of engagement with Putin — like he did with U.S. President Donald Trump — France's 40-year-old leader has said repeatedly he is not naive.

"I do believe we should never be weak with President Putin," he told Fox News in an April interview. "When you are weak, he uses it."

Still, a number of analysts doubt Macron will make much headway during his Russia visit. Some say the growing divide between the European Union and Washington will weaken his hand with the Russian leader during discussions that also are expected to include Ukraine and Syria.

Even boosting trade ties with Russia first demands "overcoming political obstacles, and they are numerous," wrote economic journalist Jean-Marc Sylvestre in Atlantico.

"I think the Russians will do whatever they can to use Macron's visit to their advantage, to their propaganda ends, and try to break the Atlantic alliance," said political history professor Anton Koslov of the American Graduate School in Paris, referring to broader EU-US ties.