Mistral: France proposes to Russia to cancel the contract – Challenges.fr

France proposed to Russia to formally terminate the contract for the delivery of the Mistral by reimbursing the amounts already paid, provided they can re-export the ships that Moscow refuses, reported Friday, May 15 the Russian newspaper Kommersant .

According to the Russian business daily, citing sources within the army, Paris is ready to pay in Moscow nearly 785 million euros, after that the Russian authorities have agreed in writing that two Mistral can be resold by France to a third party.

The Kremlin considers, however, the damage suffered by Russia at nearly 1,163 billion euros, and refuses any agreement for re-export of ships before the money is returned, the source said.

“The draft documents are currently under consideration by the Russian government, the Ministry of Defence and all those involved in the contract of Mistral “said the newspaper a source close to the case.

France and Russia concluded in June 2011 under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy a contract valued at nearly 1.2 billion euros with the delivery of two French Mistral class helicopter, the first was to be delivered in November 2014.

Ukrainian Crisis

Paris announced late November postponement “until further order “of the delivery of the first such projection and command ships (BPC) built in Saint-Nazaire (West), because of the alleged involvement of Moscow in the Ukrainian conflict.

Kiev Westerners accuse Russia of supporting arms and combatants pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and be deployed regular troops that Moscow flatly denies.

Francois Hollande admitted April that France might have to “pay back” the money already paid by Russia for the purchase of two Mistral ships. Russian President Vladimir Putin for his part clearly said that Moscow expected that the sums involved are returned.

The first of these vessels, the “Vladivostok”, was to be initially delivered to Moscow In mid-November 2014, but is still in the port of Saint-Nazaire, just as the second ship, the “Sevastopol”, named after the harbor with the Russian fleet in Crimea, Ukrainian peninsula annexed in March 2014 by Russia.

These versatile warships can carry helicopters, tanks or landing craft and welcome onboard staff or hospital.

(With AFP)