Accessibility links

Breaking News

U.S. Senators Call On French To Halt Warship Delivery To Russia


A Mistral class warship ordered by Russia in a French shipyard.
A Mistral class warship ordered by Russia in a French shipyard.
Six U.S. Senators have sent a letter to French President Francois Hollande calling on him to cancel the delivery of two French warships to the Russian Navy and to halt future delivery of the ships to Russia.

The senators, five Democrats and one Republican, said that Russia's annexation of Crimea and aggression toward Ukraine should cause the French to rethink the delivery of two Mistral-class warships.

Earlier on June 5, President Barack Obama said that he has expressed concern to France over the deal, and that it "would have been preferable to press the pause button" on the deal.

France has said that they intend to honor the contract, pointing out that about 1,000 French jobs are at stake.
With reporting from AFP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG