All disputed issues on the contract for delivery of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers are practically settled. Despite loud statements of some Russian politicians that the delivery of ships is a closed issue and it is out of the question, the French authorities left the decision unchanged — Mistrals will stay in France. Independent experts got information from relevant sources which took direct part in the last round of negotiations between Moscow and Paris. According to this data, parties have reached an agreement on the deal for the construction and delivery of the Mistral ships from June 17, 2011. Currently, the contract is completely terminated. Shortly thereafter, there was official confirmation of this information. In a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Francois Hollande made a point that France retracted to deliver the Mistral helicopter carriers. According to the first persons' statements, the two ships are now property of the French state. The Kremlin has already received the compensation totaling €1.1 billion, which was paid under the terms of the contract. In addition, Russian equipment installed on two warships will be removed and returned as well as supplied materials. Importantly, the paying back could never take place. The amount was transferred to an account of one of the Russian banks in utmost secrecy. The reason is simple. The Russian authorities were afraid of a possible seizure of funds at the moment of transferring from France to Russia within the context of the Yukos case.
