HEILIGENDAMM, Germany, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said here Thursday that he was expecting "continuity" in France's Russia policy.

    "In the meantime, I expect new forms of cooperation with France," Putin told reporters following his first meeting with newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the sidelines of the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations.

    Sarkoy said that he could not image "meaningful cooperation in Europe without Russia."

    Russia, Germany and France formed an alliance against the U.S.-led war on Iraq in 2003. But Sarkozy is known for his admiration of the United States.

    Besides Russia and France, the G8 also consists of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.