Russia, Paris to Reach 'Acceptable Decision' on Mistral Deal Next Week

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow has so far not received an official response from Paris on the delivery of the Mistral-class helicopter carrier, but a mutually acceptable decision will be made next week, a high-ranking official involved in military technical cooperation told RIA Novosti on Friday.

“Paris has so far not responded to Moscow’s official inquest, but nonetheless consultations are continuing and the parties plan to reach a mutually acceptable decision next week,” the official said.

Moscow sent Paris its official inquest in December 2014.

Russia and France signed a $1.5-billion deal for two Mistral-class helicopter carriers in 2011. The handover of the first ship was scheduled for November 2014 but was canceled when Paris, citing Moscow's alleged role in the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict, made an abrupt policy shift.

In mid-May, a deputy director from the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Anatoly Punchuk, said that Russia and France were discussing the Mistral deliveries and were expecting to reach an agreement by the end of the month. According to Punchuk, the talks were being conducted in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and showed certain positive dynamics.

A week ago, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that Paris had proposed to Moscow to terminate the deal, offering to pay some $865 million back, on condition that Russia allow France to sell the helicopter carriers to any third party.