ASSESSMENTS

France Looks to Complete Difficult Mistral Sale

Nov 21, 2014 | 21:05 GMT

France's Mistral Ship Deal with Russia Stirs More Controversy

The Mistral-class assault warship Sevastopol, the second of two Mistral-class vessels, is docked Nov. 21 in the western French port of Saint-Nazaire after being taken overnight from its dry dock.

(GEORGES GOBET/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

European and U.S. concerns over the status of the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine led NATO and Europe to pressure France to suspend or even cancel the sale of two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships to Russia. However, the consequences of doing so would be detrimental for France. Facing economic stress, France does not want to have to repay the cost of work already done, along with potential fines, as a result of a cancelled military sale.

France is caught between political pressure and economic need in its handling of a contract to provide Russia with two amphibious assault ships....

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