France, Feb. 22 -- "I wish to personally draw your attention to the sanctions imposed by the United States against several European citizens, including two French nationals, Nicolas Guillou, a judge at the International Criminal Court, and Thierry Breton, a former European commissioner," the French president wrote in a letter to Donald Trump, according to La Tribune Dimanche newspaper.

"I ask you to reconsider these decisions by your administration and to lift the sanctions unjustly imposed on Nicolas Guillou and Thierry Breton," he added.

The sanctions also apply three other French individuals working for non-governmental organisations that flag online disinformation and hate speech.

Announcing the sanctions in December the State Depa...