Defying UK, France to proceed with warships sale to Russia

In the context of the discussion amongst EU Member States concerning sanctions against Russia for its perceived support of pro-Russia rebels in the Ukraine and, in particular, in the aftermath of the attack on the Malaysian Air passenger airline over rebel held eastern Ukraine by anti-aircraft missile on the 17 July 2014 there was increasing pressure on France to halt the transfer of a newly built warship to Russia.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius responded on the 22 July 2014 with a suggestion that the United Kingdom was being hypocritical in its call as it continued with close financial links with Russia.

In addition, a report from a UK parliamentary committee published on the 23 July 2014 that the UK was continued to provide various categories of weapons to Russia despite a government commitment earlier in 2014 to halt these (for further information see the related url hyperlink: ESO: Background information: Scrutiny of Arms Exports and Arms Controls (2014)).

The defence sector was one of the areas considered by EU foreign ministers on the 22 July 2014 to be hit by further sanctions against Russia.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Ukraine. Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 22 July 2014 / All options are open in terms of sanctions: Dutch foreign minister http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-ukraine-foreign-affairs-council-meeting-brussels-22-july-2014-all-options-are-open-in-terms-of-sanctions-dutch-foreign-minister/

EUObserver, 23.07.14: UK is still sending arms to Russia, say MPs http://euobserver.com/news/125079

ESO: Background information: Putin accuses US of 'blackmail' on French bank fine http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-accuses-us-of-blackmail-on-french-bank-fine/

Deutsche Welle, 23.07.14: UK criticizes arms exports to Russia, then confirms its own http://dw.de/p/1Cgvz

The Guardian [Opinion], 23.07.14: Britain will never be a champion of democracy while it sells arms to tyrants http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/23/britain-champion-democracy-arms-trade-tyrants-russia

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

ESO: Background information: Increased pressure on Russia to cooperate in investigations to MH17 plane crash http://www.europeansources.info/record/increased-pressure-on-russia-to-cooperate-in-investigations-to-mh17-plane-crash/

ESO: Background information: Scrutiny of Arms Exports and Arms Controls (2014) http://www.europeansources.info/record/scrutiny-of-arms-exports-and-arms-controls-2014-scrutiny-of-the-governments-uk-strategic-export-controls-annual-report-2012-the-governments-quarterly-reports-from-october-2012-to-september-2013/

Euro|Topics: Who's saying what: Airliner downed in eastern Ukraine http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/debatten/links-2014-07-flugzeugabschuss/

The Conversation, 28.07.14: EU arms embargo on Russia will make little impact if France can still sell Putin warships http://theconversation.com/eu-arms-embargo-on-russia-will-make-little-impact-if-france-can-still-sell-putin-warships-29626?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+28+July+2014+-+1813&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+28+July+2014+-+1813+CID_56cfbb8692ae2dd2ccb3ef7f741b661d&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=EU%20arms%20embargo%20on%20Russia%20will%20make%20little%20impact%20if%20France%20can%20still%20sell%20Putin%20warships

The Conversation, 28.07.14: Who wants to buy a couple of warships from France to stop Russia getting them? http://theconversation.com/who-wants-to-buy-a-couple-of-warships-from-france-to-stop-russia-getting-them-29719?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+28+July+2014+-+1813&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+28+July+2014+-+1813+CID_56cfbb8692ae2dd2ccb3ef7f741b661d&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=Who%20wants%20to%20buy%20a%20couple%20of%20warships%20from%20France%20to%20stop%20Russia%20getting%20them

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