No Deal? France Says it Might Never Deliver Mistral Ships to Russia

According to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, there is a possiblity that France will never go throught with the delivery of the Mistral-class ships.

PARIS, December 5 (Sputnik) — It is possible that France will never deliver to Russia the Mistral-class ships it built under a contract with the country if the situation in Ukraine does not change, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday.

"At the moment we are not handing over [the Mistral ships]. It is possible that we will never do and Russia is aware of it," Le Drian told news channel BFM TV.

He noted that France's final decision on Mistral delivery will depend on the development of the situation in Ukraine.

"Currently the circumstances [for delivery] are not favorable. Perhaps, someday it may work out," the minister added.

Russia and France signed a $1.6 billion deal for two Mistral-class ships in June 2011. The handover of the first ship, the Vladivostok, was scheduled for November 14, but did not take place.

French President Francois Hollande postponed the delivery of the ships last week, citing the situation in eastern Ukraine as the reason behind the decision.

Getting Your Mistral's Worth

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