Nice going France .. Glad to see the Sanctions against Russian Aggression are so important to you

French President Francois Hollande says that for now, France intends to go through with a deal to build two warships for the Russian navy. The first of the Mistral-class assault vessels is supposed to be delivered in October.   

The $1.6 billion deal is the biggest sale to Russia ever by a NATO country. And three years ago, when the contract was signed, French officials hailed it as a sign that Moscow should be considered a partner, not an enemy. Still, there were critics among NATO allies even then.

Today, in light of Russia's actions in Ukraine, the warship sale is hugely controversial — even in France. 

The French foreign minister is in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and might face pressure to suspend the sale. 

And when asked on a radio talk show recently whether France should suspend the sale, parliament member Bruno Le Maire responded: "Absolutely."

"It's the only way to show Vladimir Putin we're serious," he said. "Putin is playing on Europe's divisions and hesitations."

Get this .. One of the names of the Two ships:

One of the ships is named the Vladivostok, after the far eastern Russian city. The other ship is the Sevastopol — which is the port and naval base in Crimea, which Russia just annexed from Ukraine. (emphasis mine)

Read the full story HERE and view a related a video and radio interview below:

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