France to Reimburse Russia in Deal Over Undelivered Warships

Paris: France and Russia have settled compensation issues over helicopter carrier warships that Paris has decided not to deliver to Moscow, President Francois Hollande's office said on Wednesday.

Under the deal, France will repay all advance payments made by Russia and in return will have full freedom to do whatever it wants with the vessels, which contain some Russian technology.

Hollande went back on the order after coming under pressure from his Western allies not to deliver the Mistrals because of Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.