France may initiate the transfer process Mistral Russia already this week, said a military-diplomatic source.
"Command on the transfer of "Mistral" is able to be given from the Elysee Palace at the beginning of the upcoming week, so that in the first part of March, the ship was ready to transfer to the Russian side, "said the source of" Interfax ". In his vision, the success of the Minsk meeting allows Paris to save face in front of colleagues and to assure the reputation of a reliable supplier of arms. He explained that currently there was a reason to immediately start the process of transferring helicopter "Vladivostok" the Russian side. First Thursday of the second signal built for the Russian Federation helicopter - "Sevastopol" - appeared in the automatic identification system (AIS), which may indicate its readiness to put to sea. France built by the order of Russia two Mistral. One of the helicopter carrier is ready for transfer, but France has suspended the supply of provisions in Ukraine. In the case of final refusal to supply Moscow two Mistral France will have to pay Russia for about 3 billion euros. Russia has already prepared all the documents for submission to the court of France. As said defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, paid by France compensation for breach of contract will be sent to the program of rearmament of the Russian army. At the same time, according to the editor of "national defense" Igor Korotchenko, a political decision of the leadership of France provided for in the contract at Mistral in the form of force majeure releasing the French side from the payment of any penalties.

sections: Politics