Mistral Misfires: French Politicians Deride Pres. Over Russian Relationship
French President Francois Hollande has provoked a sarcastic response among the country's political figures after deciding to re-consider partnering with Russia; in particular, they pointed to the ill-fated Mistral helicopter carrier deal.
President
Francois Hollande was harshly criticized by some French politicians
over his policy U-turn on Russia. His government currently sees Moscow
as its ally in the fight against ISIL, but earlier France had reneged
on a deal to sell its partner two Mistral helicopter carriers, according
to RIA Novosti.
"Russia. We refuse to give them the Mistral [ships], but ask them
to help us in Syria!!!!! Fortunately, laughter does not kill…," French
MP Thierry Mariani tweeted on Sunday.
For his part, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jean-Luc
Melenchon also expressed surprise about the French authorities' policy
on Russia.
He
was echoed by another French MEP, Nadine Morano, who pointed the finger
at President Hollande's "inconsistent policy" on Russia.
"As far as Russia is concerned, seeing the
Russians as partners is a rather joyful sharp twist by Francois
Hollande," Melenchon said in an interview with the TV channel France 3.
He said that this is something that cannot help but raise one's eyebrow.
"From now on, we will be cooperating with the
Russians in the maritime sphere, whereas we [earlier] refused to sell
the Mistral ships to them," Melenchon recalled.
"Hollande refused to sell the Mistral warships
to Russia. Now he wants a bigger coalition with Russia. What an
inconsistency", Morano told France 3.
France and Russia terminated a contract in August 2015
following Hollande’s suspension of the warships’ delivery late last year
due to the Ukrainian conflict. Paris was obligated to repay Moscow
over one billion dollars as compensation for the breached contract.