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"The President of the Republic considers that the situation
in the east of Ukraine still does not permit the delivery of the
first BPC (helicopter carrying and command vessel)," said a
statement from Hollande's office.
"He has therefore decided that it is appropriate to suspend,
until further notice, examination of the request for the
necessary authorization to export the first BCP to the Russian
Federation."
France has been under pressure for months from its Western
allies to scrap the 1.2 billion euro ($1.58 billion) contract.
Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov told RIA news
agency on Tuesday that Russia would not pursue claims against
France over non-delivery, but expected the contract to be
fulfilled.
(Reporting by Andrew Callus and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by
Alexandria Sage)
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