SvenSvensonov
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PARIS, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- France will not deliver two Mistral-class warships to Russia as planned until certain conditions are met, the French government announced Thursday.
"The conditions," French Finance Minister Michel Sapin told RTL radio, include Russia improving relations with neighboring Ukraine.
Russia has been accused by the West of inciting unrest in eastern Ukraine, and supplying both military equipment and personnel to the rebels in their battle against the Ukrainian government. The European Union and United States have imposed successive sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression toward Ukraine, and have pressured France to cancel its Mistral amphibious assault ship contract with Russia.
"From a certain point of view," Sapin observed, "things are getting better, but there are still concerns. So today, the conditions aren't met."
According to the contract, the Mistral ships are scheduled for delivery on Nov. 14.
Moscow, as of Thursday, had not been officially notified by Paris of any contract cancellation or delay, RT News reported.
"If it [the order] is not executed in time, on the 14th [of November], then we should file a lawsuit, take all the money that we have paid, plus the penalty," Adm. Vladimir Komoedov, chairman of the defense committee of the State Duma, told RIA Novosti.
From France: conditions for warship delivery to Russia not met - UPI.com
"The conditions," French Finance Minister Michel Sapin told RTL radio, include Russia improving relations with neighboring Ukraine.
Russia has been accused by the West of inciting unrest in eastern Ukraine, and supplying both military equipment and personnel to the rebels in their battle against the Ukrainian government. The European Union and United States have imposed successive sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression toward Ukraine, and have pressured France to cancel its Mistral amphibious assault ship contract with Russia.
"From a certain point of view," Sapin observed, "things are getting better, but there are still concerns. So today, the conditions aren't met."
According to the contract, the Mistral ships are scheduled for delivery on Nov. 14.
Moscow, as of Thursday, had not been officially notified by Paris of any contract cancellation or delay, RT News reported.
"If it [the order] is not executed in time, on the 14th [of November], then we should file a lawsuit, take all the money that we have paid, plus the penalty," Adm. Vladimir Komoedov, chairman of the defense committee of the State Duma, told RIA Novosti.
From France: conditions for warship delivery to Russia not met - UPI.com
