Ukraine de-escalation may help sort out issue of Mistral delivery - Russian ambassador

MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax) - Hopefully, the success of efforts to settle the conflict in the south-east of Ukraine will create the conditions needed to transfer the Mistral-class helicopter carriers built in France to Russia, Moscow's Ambassador to Paris Alexander Orlov told Interfax.

"The delivery of Mistral ships is a commercial deal, which was signed. Its terms need to be met," he said.

"All these issues are inter-related. I believe that if we manage to secure de-escalation in Ukraine, we will be able to resolve lots of other issues, including the delivery of Mistral ships," the ambassador said.