France's presidential candidate calls for stronger NATO-Russia relations

France's presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, has said she will propose better relations between NATO and Russia if it manages to gain power.

At a media conference, the far-right politician called for the restoration of friendly relations between the two sides, once the war is ended in Ukraine, the BBC reports.

She added that she would withdraw France from the NATO military command structure if it resulted in winning.

But she said she will continue to respect a key NATO pact, under which an attack on a member of the military alliance is seen as an attack on 30 members.

Russia has rejected NATO's any expansion towards its borders, including any attempts by its neighbour Ukraine to join the military alliance. The NATO states have sent weapons to the Ukrainian Army since the start of the war.

Le Pen will compete with current president Emmanuel Macron for president in the election run-off later this month.