France cannot sell Mistral helicopter carriers, which should have been delivered to Russian Federation, to a third party without the permission of Russia, Interfax reports with reference to Russian Vice Premier Dmitry Rogozin. “They cannot sell anything without our permission,” he told journalists.
Rogozin suggested that, most likely, the French military authorities suggested selling the vessels to a third party or sinking them. “It’s their military authorities, I think they are trying to intimidate their politicians. The ship is not adapted,” the Vice Premier noted.
The ship was certified, according to Rogozin, “from signs to power supply system”. “In general it meets the performance specification issued by Russian navy. I don’t understand how they can use or sell them,” he said.
Moreover, according to the Vice Premier, Russia has the end-used certificate for the after parts of Mistrals.
Journalists asked him, if France agreed with the Russia’s arguments and Rogozin answered: “I’ve explained all the details to them”. Negotiations are in progress, the Vice Premier added. “I think everything will be fine, don’t worry,” he said.
The final decision related to deliveries of Mistrals to Russia, he added, will be made by the President of France. At that he didn’t specify any dates, when the matter may be resolved. “I will tell you, when the story ends. We are monitoring the process,” Rogozin said.
The contract for delivery of two Mistral helicopter carriers worth €1,2 billion was signed in 2011. France should have handed over the first Mistral assault ship to Russian Navy in November 2014, the second one – in autumn 2015. However, French authorities pressured by NATO allies, first of all USA, declined to implement the contract. France explained its decision with escalation of conflict in the Eastern part of Ukraine.
On April 22nd President of France said that delivery of Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia is impossible at the moment. He added “France does not want to deliver lethal weapons to Russia”.
