PARIS — Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president, was once known as “Sarko the American” for his love of free markets, freewheeling debate and Elvis. Of late, however, he has appeared more like “Sarko the Russian,” even as President Vladimir V. Putin’s ruthlessness appears more evident than ever. “European interests aren’t aligned with American interests this time,” he added. His statements, to the newspaper as well as the TF1 television network, were unusual for a former president in that they are profoundly at odds with official French policy. They provoked outrage from the Ukrainian ambassador to France and condemnation from several French politicians, including President Emmanuel Macron.

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Persons: PARIS — Nicolas Sarkozy, Elvis, Vladimir V, Mr, Sarkozy, ”, me Vladimir Putin isn’t, I’ve, Le Figaro, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: European Union, NATO, TF1 Locations: Crimea, Ukraine, Russia, France, Ukrainian