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Report: Russia Gives France Deadline To Deliver Warship


Moscow is warning Paris of "serious" consequences if France does not deliver a Mistral-class assault ship by the end of this month.

Under a $1.5 billion deal signed in 2011, the first of two Mistral helicopter carriers was supposed to be handed over to Russia on November 14.

But France has delayed the handover because of Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted an unidentified high-ranking source in Moscow as saying: "We are preparing for different scenarios. We are waiting until the end of the month, then we will lodge serious claims."

The source said experts were gauging the damage sustained by Russia.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told lawmakers this week that there was still no fixed date for the delivery.

Based on reporting by RIA Novosti and AFP

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