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EU third level of sanctions can hamper Mistral supplies to Russia - defence minister

PARIS, July 12, /ITAR-TASS/. France’s top military official has said the implementation of a contract on Mistral helicopter-carrying vessel supplies to Russia could be put into question if the European Union imposes the third level of sanctions against Moscow.

“We believe that the sanctions, imposed by the EU, made the Russian leaders to take an opener position. So the European Union gave up the third level of sanctions,” French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in an interview with Le Monde on Saturday.

Read also

EU puts on additional sanctions list leaders of Donetsk, Lugansk republics

Le Drian replied to Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas, who has ended the visit to France this week. The Estonian premier demanded France stop Mistral supplies to Russia.

“When I visited the Baltic States this issue was raised. I assured our partners that France was ready to take such actions if the EU decided to impose the higher level of sanctions. Till now new sanctions have not been imposed on because the dialogue in Ukraine resumed,” the Estonian premier said.

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Sanctions vs. Russia Mistral

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