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Hollande: France will reimburse Russia if warships are not delivered

Delivery of first helicopter carrier was due last year but deal was put on hold after Russia’s role in Ukraine crisis led to EU sanctions.

La rédaction de Mediapart

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Russia would be reimbursed for two Mistral helicopter carriers if they are not delivered and the 1.2-billion-euro contract is cancelled, French president François Hollande told reporters Wednesday, reports RFI.

Delivery of the first warship was due last year but the deal was put on hold after Russia’s role in the Ukraine crisis led to sanctions against Moscow by the European Union.

Russian president Vladimir Putin said last week that he expects France to reimburse all costs incurred by Russia, but that as it stands no penalties would be imposed.

Putin had also stressed that France’s failure to deliver the warships would not undermine Russia's defence capabilities.

Hollande made mention of the frozen contract ahead of a meeting with Putin on Friday in Armenia.

Read more of this report from RFI.