PARIS, December 18 (Sputnik) — Russian sailors in France to train on board the Mistral-class helicopter carrier expected to be delivered to Russia hope to make it back to Russia in time to celebrate the New Year holidays, one of the ship’s crew members told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
“We are departing today, on Thursday. We have packed our belongings. The weather could be better, it is drizzling, so we are on the ship. The road back home will take about a week, maybe more, so we expect to celebrate the New Year at home,” the sailor said.
Russia signed a 1.2 billion euro ($1.5 billion) deal with France for two Mistral-class ships in June 2011. The handover of the first ship, the Vladivostok, was scheduled for November 14, but was delayed “until further notice.” French President Francois Hollande later justified the suspension of delivery citing Russia’s alleged role in the Ukrainian conflict, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls called speculations about a possible cancellation of the Mistral deal “premature.”
Moscow has repeatedly denied claims of its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and expects France to either resume the carrier’s delivery or provide a refund. In an interview with France 24 on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called it a matter of “a signed legal contract and the French nation’s dignity.”
