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Russia-France Mistral dispute

Kremlin: France's decision to sell Mistrals to Egypt in line with agreements with Russia

Egypt will buy both Mistral class helicopter carriers that were built by France originally for Russia

© EPA/XING ZHE

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MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. France's decision to sell two helicopter carriers of the Mistral class to Egypt do not run counter to agreements with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

"If you recall our reports that the Mistral issue in bilateral relations of France and Russia has been exhausted, you will remember the condition that France will take into account Russia's interests when handing the Mistral ships over to the third party," Peskov replied when asked whether the deal had been agreed with Russia.

At the same time, the presidential spokesman said that it was not coming to terms on the sale but rather the due accounting of Russia's interests that were in focus.

"If [the Mistral helicopter carriers] are being handed over, then Russian interests have been taken into account. And we say that such an understanding has been reached," he said.

Earlier in the day, reports were coming from Elyssee Palace that Egypt would buy both Mistral class helicopter carriers that were built by France originally for Russia.

"French President Francois Hollande held telephone talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi today. They agreed on the principle and the terms of the acquisition by Egypt of the two ships," French president’s spokesman told reporters.

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