Hollande Says Sale of Warships To Russia Still On ‘For Now’
May 11, 2014
STRALSUND, GERMANY — French President Francois Hollande said Saturday the sale of two Mistral warships to Russia would continue “for now” despite the West’s worsening relations with Moscow over the Ukraine crisis. “The contract was signed in 2011, it is being carried out and will be completed by next October,” said Hollande during a press briefing in Germany, where he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
On Thursday, the United States again voiced concern about the €1.2 billion ($1.65 billion) sale of the French warships to Russia as Washington mulled imposing more sanctions on the regime of President Vladimir Putin.