If France does not fulfill Mistral deal "we should get out money back" - Russian president
SOCHI. June 5 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that France's possible decision not to fulfill the conditions of the contract on the delivery of Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia will not help further promote military-technological cooperation between the two countries.
"France is entitled to decide against selling the ships, but in that case we should get out money back. This would mean that out countries won't have an opportunity to develop ties in the defense sector," Putin said in an interview with the French media.
However, on the whole, Russia is ready to further broaden cooperation with France "and even to place new orders, if our French partners are interested," he said.
"I believe we are living in a civilized world and we will all continue to fulfill our obligations and contractual commitments," the Russian leader said.
Moscow is hopeful that its French partners will honor their commitments, "and if everything goes as we agreed, we will not rule out the possibility of further orders - and not necessarily in naval shipbuilding; they may concern other sectors as well," Putin said.
