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Mistral deliveries not mentioned at Putin’s meeting with Hollande

Putin said he would view “with understanding” the fulfillment of France’s obligations

AIRPORT VNUKOVO /near Moscow/, December 6. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not speak about deliveries of the Mistral helicopter carriers at the talks with his French counterpart Francois Hollande on Saturday.

Putin said he would view “with understanding” the fulfillment of France’s obligations.

“We proceed from the fact that the contract will be implemented,” Putin told reporters but expressed the hope that if not, France would return the money already paid to it.

“The situation in Ukraine is tragic"

Vladimir Putin is hopeful that Kiev will exclude any elements aimed at blocking Ukraine’s southeast.

“Otherwise, it is difficult to see Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Russia, as you all know, supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” Putin said after talks with his French counterpart Francois Hollande on Saturday.

“The situation in Ukraine is tragic. We see that people have been dying there. But I hope that in the near future a final decision on a ceasefire will be made,” Putin told reporters underscoring that he discussed this with Hollande in detail.

“I hope - of course, Russia supports it, France and other countries engaged in the settlement process - I hope additional steps will be taken to exchange the prisoners,” he said.

“I proceed from the fact that economic life will be restoring and any elements aimed to besiege that region will be excluded from a real life as otherwise, it is difficult to see the revival of the country’s territorial integrity and Russia, as you all know, supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”.