EU Sanctions On Russia Will Not Affect France's Warship Delivery

Delivery of arms from France to Russia will not be affected by EU sanctions imposed on Moscow.

France’s delivery of two  warships to Russia will not be affected by the current EU sanctions imposed on the country due to the Ukraine crisis, according to RIA Novosti.

"At the moment they are not affected by the sanctions," French Permanent Representative to the UN Gerard Araud said, adding that the sanctions are only target individuals.

"Of course, if there are new sanctions, they should be respected, but so far sanctions do not affect the deliveries," Araud confirmed.

In 2011, Russia and France signed a contract worth 1.2 billion euros for the construction of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy. The first ship, the Vladivostok, built at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, is due to be delivered by the end of the year and the second, the Sevastopol, is scheduled to be handed over next year.

The ships, to be commissioned into Russia's Pacific Fleet, are capable of each carrying 16 helicopters, four landing craft, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 soldiers.