Merkel: France must suspend delivery of Mistrals to Russia

By Interfax-Ukraine.

Published July 18, 2014 at 7:21 pm

A Ukrainian protester holds on July 14, 2014 a drawing, depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a demonstration in front of the French ambassador's residence in Kyiv against the sale of Mistral-class warships to Russia.

Photo by AFP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the French government to halt the supply of Mistral amphibious assault ships to Russian after a recent Malaysia Airlines plane crash in eastern Ukraine.

Speaking at a press conference on July 18, Merkel stressed the need to
stop exporting helicopter carriers to Russia despite the fact it’s not
prohibited by the current sanction regime.

Russia’s Rosoboronexport and French DCNS S.A. signed a contract for
the construction of the first two Mistral helicopter carriers in June
2011.