BRISBANE, November 15 (Sputnik) — Relations between Russia and France should not be damaged due to "turbulent" times in the world political affairs, so the countries should do everything possible to minimize potential risks for bilateral relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday.
"France and Russia for a long period of time maintain not only warm, but also productive relations. Today there are a lot of turbulent moments in the global affairs, and our positions on some questions differ," Putin said during his meeting with French President Francois Hollande in the framework of G20 summit in Australia.
"This is why it is so important to be able to meet and discuss all these questions, and to do everything possible to minimize potential risks and negative consequences for bilateral relations, " Putin added.
Relations between Russia and France became tense as the Ukrainian conflict escalated. France, together with other European Union countries, kept blaming Russia for meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs – a claim that Moscow repeatedly denied.
The deal for two Mistral-class helicopter carriers, which France is supposed to deliver to Russia under a $1.5 billion contract, has been in jeopardy after the West started implementing economic sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. Hollande threatened to suspend the deliveries of the ships in October, citing Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.
In turn, Moscow has stated that if the contact is cancelled, Paris will have to pay a large penalty. Russia also said that if anything goes wrong, Russia is able to build its own version of the ships.
