France suspends Mistral warship delivery to Russia

France suspended the first of two controversial Mistral-class warship deliveries to Russia on the 3 September 2014, saying 'conditions' were not in place as the crisis in Ukraine deepens.

The announcement came a day before the start of a NATO summit in Wales, 4-5 September 2014 and after months of pressure on France from her allies to suspend the sale amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

However expert Philippe Migault, from the French think tank IRIS (Institute de Relations internaionales et strategique) told The Local.fr he was not convinced the deal would be permanently pulled.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Defying UK, France to proceed with warships sale to Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/defying-uk-france-to-proceed-with-warships-sale-to-russia/

BBC News, 03.09.14: Ukraine crisis: France halts warship delivery to Russia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29052599

Deutsche Welle, 03.09.14: France changes tack on Mistral warship delivery to Russia http://dw.de/p/1D62T

The Local.fr, 03.09.14: France holds off delivery of warship to Russia http://www.thelocal.fr/20140903/france-again-weighing-warship-with-russia

ESO: Key Source: EU sanctions against Russia over Ukraine crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine-crisis/

EUObserver, 04.09.14: France halts Russia warship deal, as Nato leaders meet http://euobserver.com/defence/125461

RIA Novosti, 05.09.14: Hollande: Ceasefire Should Be Reached In Ukraine For France to Deliver Mistral to Russia http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140905/192647111/Ceasefire-Should-Be-Reached-In-Ukraine-For-France-to-Deliver-Mistral-to-Russia.html

BBC News, 04.09.14: France faces huge Mistral bill for halting Russia deal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29060398

RIA Novosti, 04.09.14: Industry and Trade Minister: Russia Believes Mistral Delivery Contract to Be Fulfilled http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140904/192629043/Russia-Believes-Mistral-Delivery-Contract-to-Be-Fulfilled--.html

France24, 04.09.14: Russia still expects France to deliver Mistral warships http://www.france24.com/en/20140904-russia-still-expects-france-deliver-mistral-warship-contract-military-ukraine/

EurActiv, 04.09.14: France suspends Mistral delivery to Russia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/france-suspends-mistral-delivery-russia-308205

Euronews, 07.09.14: Public protests over delayed delivery of French built warship to Russia http://www.euronews.com/2014/09/07/public-protests-over-delayed-delivery-of-french-built-warship-to-russia/

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