Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of condolences to Madeleine Druon on the demise of her husband, writer Maurice Druon, a member of the French Academy
"An outstanding writer and thinker, a man of unique proportions and depth has died.
"We respect and admire Maurice Druon. A member of Resistance during WWII, he remained loyal to the noble ideals of freedom and humanism after the war, and was a selfless servant of his country and people.
"Your husband had a versatile talent; he lived by his work and generously shared his talent with the people. He had always advocated a special partnership between Russia and France and made an enormous contribution to strengthening bilateral cultural relations.
"I am happy to have known Maurice Druon personally. I still remember our lengthy meetings and conversations, the striking wisdom of that man who became a classic during his lifetime."
Prime Minister Putin also sent a telegram of condolences to Helene Carrere d'Encausse, permanent secretary of the French Academy, writing that Maurice Druon "will for ever remain an indisputable moral authority, one of the brightest and most talented members of the modern European and global culture."
"We will remember Maurice Druon as a true patriot and great son of France, and also as a loyal friend of Russia, a dedicated advocate of stronger Russian-French relations and Europe in which people will be united by common values," the Russian Prime Minister wrote. "My meetings with him always left an indelible impression, and I am grateful to fate for the honour to be personally acquainted with that outstanding man."
