France’s Mistral sale to Russia goes official in March, but debate continues | Top Russian news and analysis online | ‘RIA Novosti’ newswire: “France’s reported decision to sell at least one Mistral warship to Russia is stirring sharp controversy among French policymakers and analysts about what strategic gains, if any, France and the West can obtain from the deal.
Citing unnamed sources at the Elysee Palace, a French intelligence newsletter is reporting that the sale will be announced officially in March during a visit by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to Paris. French President Nicholas Sarkozy wants to use the sale of the Mistral, a warship compatible with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, as ‘a ’strong integration vector’ at a moment when the Atlantic Alliance and Moscow are once again talking seriously about cooperating,’ the newsletter, Intelligence Online, reported.”