Not sure how this thread ended up doing Ukraine, but here goes the latest...

Putin warns U.S. spat over Ukraine threatens global stability | Reuters

P.S. You're very quite, Ronald.

Closer to the thread. How long can France keep it up?

France's military pays price for country's debt - The Local

I think the Ukraine connection is that the alleged withholding of delivery of the Vladivostok is France's own response (ie contribution to sanctions) to the perceived Russian actions in and around eastern Ukraine. Are they serious or is it just cosmetic sham ?

The Vladivostok has done two shakedown/training cruises, one for each Russian crew, and seems to be in all respects ready for ceremonial handing over the keys and departure for the Rodina.

Three days ago her next sailing was shown as 20/21 Nov. That changed to Friday 17th Oct at 0345 – less than 24 hrs from now. Since my last post, all sailing dates seem to have been removed from public view. That could mean anything.

Ronnie did reply briefly, along the lines of "shame about all them deaths ... but ...." Must have thought better of it or has been recalled for re-education, because that post was quickly removed.

The Russian press is all saying its ops/contract normal. There are two French factions, for and against delivery. Demos take place on the quay side, at the front and back ends respectively.

My guess ? They'll skip the PU and very soon we'll all be singing red sails in the sunset instead. . LFH

Another training cruise ?
 

Vladivostok was moved into the Normandie lock before dawn and left Saint Nazaire about 0900Z

She settled on quite a steady (for a new helmsman anyway) course of 250 at about 12 kts. for over three hours. Previous training sorties have not gone much beyond the SN1 Buoy about 15 nm west of Noirmoutier.

She's now turned round, making it look like another shakedown or training cruise. . LFH

Oh, yeah, bollocks. Sorry.

By 1800z Saturday 18th October, Vladivostok was back alongside above the St Nazaire bridge, after a day trip on the briny.

At 1900z Sunday 19th off to sea again. Manoeuvres off shore south of Belle Ile for four days, until Thursday - back into St Nazaire, towed through the Normandie lock and tied up in the Penhoet Basin by 1630z.

No forecast sailings now shown. Previous Nov 20/21 was withdrawn from public view (but not necessarily cancelled.) WTS. ..... LFH

France Suspends Mistral Warship Delivery to Russia

PARIS — French President François Hollande has placed a hold on the delivery of the first Mistral helicopter carrier to Russia in view of the deadly conflict in east Ukraine, the president’s office said on Tuesday. “The president of the republic considers the present situation in east Ukraine still does not allow the delivery of the first [projection and command ship],” the Elysée president’s office said in a statement. “He has decided that it is appropriate to suspend, until further notice, the examination of the request for export authorization for the first [projection and command ship] to the Russian Federation.”

French ministers previously said Hollande would decide in November whether to grant permission for a delivery. Hollande set two conditions for delivery: the observation of a ceasefire in Ukraine and a political agreement between Moscow and Kiev.

A UN human rights organization has reported that almost 1,000 people have been killed in Ukraine between the ceasefire agreement in September and Nov. 18 Agence-France Press reported. That is an average 13 dead a day and more than 4,300 combatants and civilians slain since pro-Russia insurgents seized regions in eastern Ukraine in April, the UN said. The total figure includes the 298 lives lost in the shoot down of Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight in July, the news agency reported.

The prime contractor, state-owned DCNS, had previously arranged for a hand-over ceremony of the first of two ships — the Vladivostok — to the arms agency Rosoboronexport and a putting into water of the sister ship, Sevastopol, on Nov. 14. DCNS canceled the ceremony, which was revealed by Russian RIA news agency. Sevastopol’s delivery is scheduled for the last quarter of 2015.

France signed the €1.2 billion (US $1.4 billion) deal in 2011, and has come under diplomatic pressure from Western nations and Baltic allies to refuse the hand over to Russia.

Interesting to note that Marine Le Pen's National Front, who look like real contenders this time around, have received 9 billion Euros' worth of loans from Russian-based banks. If they get into power, how quickly will those ships arrive in Russian ports then?

Merkel Said to Reject Ukraine NATO Bid as Rousing Tension - Businessweek


Some good news at least, French government has the same opinion also :)

Welcome back Ronald, thought you'd been recalled by the Kremlin for a while there....

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/...ps432e96ea.png

Thanks for the very kind welcome Mel

€9 billion? Shoorly shum mishtake! :eek:

mistral update
 

Vladivostok was moved yesterday, from the Normandie Dock back into the Penhoet Basin. She is still showing on AIS as French after a 24 hr spell showing as Russian on Nov 14th for the handover party that didn't happen. She is rumoured to be guarded by Russian Marines because 'someone has been nicking stuff.' Sebastopol was floated out some weeks ago and is tied up probably at a shipyard berth, fitting out, but is not yet showing on AIS. She is due for completion/sea trials sometime next summer. Smolniy, the frigate style training ship which has been used as HQ and floating barracks since June, but also not on AIS, apparently sailed for home yesterday – presumably Leningrad. Whether this is just for Christmas leave or perhaps represents a more permanent departure remains to be seen.


С Рождеством всех .......... LFH

News on the Smolny.

TASS: World - Russian crews trained for Mistral ships leave French port ? Russian Navy source

Best come back CM!

Clock Ticking On Mistral Decision, Russia Tells France

MOSCOW — Russia will gladly take back the money it paid for French Mistral-class warships whose handover has been delayed by concerns over Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis, a deputy defense minister said Saturday.

Yury Borisov also indicated that Paris should make a decision before the new year. "It doesn't matter if the calendar shows December 31, 2014, or January 1, 2015, but we are waiting for France's decision," Interfax news agency quoted him as saying. "We would be content with either development – the Mistrals or the return of all the invested money," he said.

Given the currency crisis in Russia, which saw the ruble rapidly devalue by 50 percent, taking the money from the euro-denominated deal "may actually be preferable," he added.

France, which is struggling economically, is faced with a tough decision: deliver the two mammoth warships to Russia and face the wrath of its NATO allies or end up with two vessels equipped for the Russian navy and pay the price and possibly heavy fines.......

If the frogs play their cards right they could make an extra buck out of this. Depending on how hard up the Russians are, maybe get 80% back to them.

Once the deal is done an dusted, try and get the Chinese or Indians to take them off their hands.

:ok:

You'd have to factor out the 40% that was apparently made in Leningrad and floated down to Saint-Nazaire.

пожалуйста, верните нашу половину в хорошем состоянии

Could get messy. ............ LFH

Mistral
 

Looks like Russia has been preparing the case to walk away - this State-Sponsored dis-information from Tass:Economy October 27 -

The Mistral-type helicopter carriers have a displacement of 21 tons, the maximum body length of 210 meters, the speed of 18 knots and the range of up to 20,000 miles.

Who on earth would object to cancelling a ship that small? That Putin knows how to manipulate the press eh?.

Not so well done France
 

BBC News - France seeks end to Russia sanctions over Ukraine
Wonder if the sanctions they want removing include Mistral? :rolleyes: