PARIS: The French government cannot go ahead with the planned delivery of a first of two helicopter carriers to Russia, the president's office said on Wednesday, citing Moscow's recent actions in eastern Ukraine.
France has faced fierce pressure from Washington and other allies to halt the delivery of the Mistral-class warships, with the first slated for delivery in October.
Warning of more sanctions, President Francois Hollande's said last week it would be "intolerable and unacceptable" if it were proven that Russian forces had entered Ukrainian territory.
"Russia's recent actions run against the foundations of security in Europe," Hollande's office said in a statement after a meeting between the president and his top military advisors.
"The president of the Republic has concluded that despite the prospect of ceasefire, which has yet to be confirmed and put in place, the conditions under which France could authorise the delivery of the first helicopter carrier are not in place," it added.
The announcement is likely to take the heat off of France when NATO leaders meet later this week in Wales for a summit largely focused on the conflict in Ukraine and growing tensions with Russia.
France has until now resisted allies' pressure to halt the delivery of the warships, saying that doing so would hurt Paris more than Moscow.
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