As a deadline for the controversial delivery of a warship to Russia nears, France faces a gruelling dilemma: ditch the deal, lose billions and antagonise Moscow – or go ahead and attract NATO’s wrath.
Until the deadly crisis in Ukraine erupted this year, the 1.2 billion-euro (1.5-billion) contract to build and sell two mammoth Mistral-class assault ships to the Russian navy had been firmly on track.
But faced with a growing outcry over the deal as Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis became ever clearer, President Francois Hollande in September suspended delivery of the first ship – planned for October or November …read more
Source: Herald LIVE
