Critical Observer

FRANCE: Compensation to Russia for Mistral warships

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France will refund €950 million ($1 billion) to Russia for the cancelation of the sale of two Mistral-class warships, but won’t have to pay penalties, AP reported, citing legislation published Friday. In a bill to be submitted to France’s lower house of parliament next week, the government detailed for the first time the agreement reached with Russia last month. The document claims that the “only condition” laid down by Russia is to receive the money “as soon as possible.” The amount reportedly includes all advances paid by Russia. The two ships are currently in the port of the western French city of Saint Nazaire, and their upkeep entails expensive additional costs that the government refused to detail.