French Envoy: For The Moment There Is No Reason To Deliver The Mistral

Gérard Araud

In a video interview given to Bloomberg, on the 22nd of Oct, France’s ambassador to the U.S Gerard Araud declared that there is no reason so far to deliver the Mistrals.

Here is a transcript of this interview:

Does France at this point see any reason to ease up sanctions against Russia?

Araud: No. It's very very clear. We have said that we will accept easing sanctions against Russia only if Russia takes significant steps on the ground in Ukraine and for the moment, unfortunately, we are not seeing them, weapons are still flowing to Ukraine there are still bloody incidents between separatists and the Ukrainian forces so we are still far from it.

What's gonna happen with that deal (talking about the Mistral deal)?

Araud: The French president has said again that it will depend on the situation on the ground. We have put the delivery of the Mistral system on hold for the moment so we are looking at the situation. As I have said, there is no reason to ease the sanctions so for the moment, so far, there is no reason to deliver the Mistral.

Watch the video here

In addition, in remarks representing his personal opinion, he stated (not on the video):
“We need ideas” to resolve the conundrum, “but for the moment, nobody has stepped in saying, ‘We are ready to help you to face this situation,’” he said. Araud said delivery of the first ship can be delayed for three months without penalties or for six months “with penalties which are bearable.”

This remark is quite important as help is just coming through in the form of a proposition for the EU to buy the Mistral.

Delaying the delivery for three month without penalties would cost nothing to France and allow to try to seize the Mistral Vladivostok to pay the Yukos fine, would Russia fail to pay the 50 billion dollars fine before the 15th of January (last limit to pay).

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