“The Russian sailors will stay in Saint-Nazaire until the ship is handed over, possibly until the end of the year,” the official with the Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport told RIA Novosti on the condition of anonymity.
He said the crew’s French visas would be extended if necessary.
On November 25, the delivery of the vessel to Russia was postponed by French President Francois Hollande. He explained that the situation in Ukraine was the reason for the decision.
Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims regarding its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and vowed to open legal proceedings against France if contractual obligations on the deliveries of the two ships are not fulfilled. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said France was responsible for the situation around the vessel's delivery.
According to a poll, conducted by French newspaper Le Figaro, about 60 percent of French citizens believe Paris should meet its obligation under the contract and deliver the helicopter carriers to Russia.
