French Foreign Minister Says Paris Had No Prior Discussions on AUKUS, Submarines With US

© REUTERS / Jean-Paul PelissierFlight deck crew work on a Super Etendard fighter jet as a French flag flies aboard the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle before its departure from the naval base of Toulon, France, November 18, 2015
Flight deck crew work on a Super Etendard fighter jet as a French flag flies aboard the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle before its departure from the naval base of Toulon, France, November 18, 2015 - Sputnik International, 1920, 18.09.2021
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PARIS (Sputnik) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Saturday refuted White House claims that the United States previously discussed with France its plans regarding the AUKUS defense partnership and submarines, before Australia's announcement about reneging on a $66-billion deal with Paris.
Earlier, in an unprecedented move, Paris recalled its ambassadors from the United States and Australia for consultations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described Canberra's abandoning of its previous commitments to Paris as "stabbing in the back."
"I have heard comments that we had discussions with the US [about submarines] prior to [Australia's] announcement. This is not true," Le Drian told the France 2 broadcaster, regarding Australia's new trilateral pact with London and Washington.

France Did Not Recall Ambassador to UK Because Paris Is Aware of London's 'Constant Opportunism'

"We have recalled our ambassadors [to the US and Australia] in order to reassess the situation. There is no need for that in the UK. We are aware of their constant opportunism. That is why there is no need [for us] to bring back the ambassador for clarification," Le Drian told the broadcaster.
The US, Australia and the UK announced a new trilateral AUKUS defense partnership on Thursday. The new defensive pact saw Canberra renege on a $66 billion contract with France to build 12 state-of-the-art conventionally-powered attack submarines, as the new defensive alliance promises to provide Australia's fleet with nuclear-powered subs.
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