Support The Moscow Times!

France Names Conditions for Delivering Mistral Warships to Russia

Russian sailors board their Russian Navy frigate Smolny as they leave the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, western France, Dec. 18, 2014.

The French defense minister has named the conditions on which France will consider fulfilling a contract to deliver two Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia, which was suspended indefinitely over Russia's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, the Interfax news agency reported.

"There needs to be a ceasefire that is completely respected in this part of Europe [Ukraine]. A political roadmap is also necessary," Interfax quoted Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian as saying Thursday on radio station Europe 1.

The first of two Mistral warships was to be handed over to Russia on Nov. 14, but the French government delayed the delivery indefinitely in response to Russia's support for the separatists.

A ceasefire agreement was signed between separatist forces and the Ukrainian government in September after five months of bloody conflict. It has been flouted by both sides, however, with more than 1,000 people killed in intermittent shelling since the signing, according to the United Nations.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told Interfax last month that France must either fulfill the 1.2 billion euro ($1.45 billion) contract or return Russia's money.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more