Paris ready to cancel warship sale to Russia

[PARIS] French President Francois Hollande said he's prepared to cancel the sale of a second Mistral helicopter carrier ship to Russia if the European Union (EU) decides to expand its sanctions against Russia.

The second ship, due in 2016, hasn't yet been paid for, making it possible to withhold the sale if the EU agrees to broaden its measures on Russia, Mr Hollande said on Monday at the annual presidential press dinner.

At the same time, sanctions can't be retroactive and wouldn't cover delivery of the Vladivostok, the first Mistral warship, which is already paid for and due for delivery in October, Mr Hollande said.