Russia Says Mistral Delay Affects Future Military Cooperation

BRUSSELS, December 3 (Sputnik) — France's hesitancy to make good on its promised delivery of the two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia have influenced Moscow's attitude towards military cooperation with its foreign partners, Russia's envoy to NATO, Alexander Grushko, said Wednesday.

"Of course the situation around the Mistral-class ships could not help but influence our attitude towards the possible cooperation with our partners in the military sphere," Grushko told journalists, reminding that Moscow has set a course for import substitution.

The diplomat pointed out that the Russian order of French ships was a display of trust on the Russian side, a gesture that even in the most important and complicated issues of security Moscow is willing to rely on its partners.

Russia and France signed a $1.6 billion deal for two Mistral-class ships in June 2011. The handover of the first ship, the Vladivostok, was scheduled for November 14, but has not taken place.

On November 25, President Francois Hollande postponed the delivery of the vessel to Russia, explaining that the situation in Ukraine was the reason for the decision.

Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims regarding its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and vowed to open legal proceedings against France if contractual obligations on the deliveries of the two ships are not fulfilled. However, in late November the Russian deputy defense minister said that Moscow does not have immediate plans to file claims against Paris.