France risks “international ridicule” if it delivers a warship to Russia despite the Malaysian Airlines disaster, but its intentions remain unchanged in the immediate aftermath.The ship, a “Mistral” assault vessel which forms part of a €1.2 billion contract, is to be sent to Russia in October, with the French navy currently training Russian sailors how to use it at the port of St. Nazaire in Normandy.The US and some EU states had already criticised the deal before the air crash because of the Ukraine crisis. But others, such as Germany, had defended France’s decision to go ahead.
Murder In The Sky: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17
EU Observer: Air disaster puts spotlight on French warship for Russia
Russia's President Vladimir Putin with President of France Francois Hollande, Paris, June 5, 2014.
