France is working to strengthen its relations with Russia in spite of Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, French economy minister Emmanuel Macron said in Moscow Monday.

France is working to strengthen its relations with Russia in spite of Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, French economy minister Emmanuel Macron said in Moscow Monday.

"Our ministerial visits are not focused on diplomacy but show the strong desire to preserve and even strengthen our diplomatic relations while respecting the sanctions in the current political and diplomatic framework," Macron told reporters after talks with his Russian counterpart Alexei Ulyukayev.

"It is very important for our two economies to intensify our relations and move forward pragmatically."

As he arrived in Russia for a two-day visit, Macron on Sunday said Paris hoped EU sanctions imposed on Russia.

The minister said he expected the Minsk peace agreement -- a package of measures agreed by the leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia in the Belarusian capital -- to be fulfilled by July 2016.

"Our hope is that all parties will respect their obligations in the Minsk agreements, which will allow the sanctions to be lifted," Macron said.

In late December, the EU extended its sanctions until July 31, as the intricate peace roadmap signed by Moscow has stuttered.