Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday condemned the attack in Nice as an act of ‘monstrous evil’ in a message to his French counterpart.

In a message of condolence to President Francois Hollande released by the Kremlin, Putin said he was shocked by the ‘savagery and particular cynicism of this crime committed on your country’s national holiday,’ during Bastille Day celebrations.

‘We have seen once more that human morality is absolutely alien to terrorism: people who are absolutely innocent become its victims, including women and children,’ Putin said.

The Russian leader stressed the need to ‘eradicate or neutralise militants and their ideologues wherever they are hiding’ and promised that Russia is ready for the ‘closest cooperation with France and other international partners in all areas of fighting terrorism,’ the Kremlin said.

‘Russia is in solidarity with the people of France during these difficult days,’ Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked journalists to observe a minute of silence in honour of the victims ahead of talks on Syria with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

‘I feel our work has become even more urgent and relevant due to the revolting terrorist attack yesterday in Nice,’ Lavrov said.