Conditions Still Not Satisfied for Mistral Deliveries - Hollande

The conditions for Mistral deliveries are still not satisfied, French President Hollande told reporters after an informal summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – French President Francois Hollande has announced that conditions for the delivery of Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia are still not right.

"The conditions [for Mistral deliveries] are still not satisfied. I hope they will be one day," Hollande told reporters Thursday, after an informal summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

Earlier on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced that the implementation of the Mistral contract was still on hold.

In 2011, Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport and French shipbuilder DCNS agreed a $1.5 billion deal on the delivery of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia.

Paris was to deliver the first helicopter carrier last November, but the delivery did not take place. Hollande said the shipment was suspended due to Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

Russia now expects France to either deliver the warships or return the money.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced in January that Moscow could file a court case against France in the next six months over the failure of Paris to deliver the first Mistral ship.

According to Russian experts, Paris could face penalties as high as $10 billion if it fails to fulfill its Mistral contractual obligations.

Mistral Amphibious Assault Helicopter Carrier

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