France's Russia warship plan raises Baltic hackles

EU Business/AFP ^ | 03/02/2010 | EU Business/AFP

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

France's plan to sell Moscow four warships has triggered anger in former Soviet republics now firmly anchored in the European Union and NATO, fearful their new western allies underestimate the Kremlin.

In interviews with AFP, top officials in the Baltic states questioned France's willingness to go ahead with what would be an unprecedented transfer of advanced military technology by a NATO member to Russia.

They insisted that, while they too want better ties with their Soviet-era master, Paris's stance is wrong-headed and sends the wrong signal to a Moscow government already all-too keen to assert itself in its region.

France argues Russia must be treated as a partner and not as a threat, saying it is time to time to turn the page on the Cold War.

"I'm not sure that the best way to turn the page on the Cold War is by trading in items of hot war," said Latvia's Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins.

Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have repeatedly raised concerns since plans to sell Mistral-class amphibious assault vessels were first floated last year

But the issue came more sharply into focus on Monday when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Paris for talks with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy and both confirmed that the deal would go ahead in some form.

Speaking alongside Medvedev, Sarkozy said a sale would be a symbol of trust, as the West seeks to get Moscow on-side in crises such as the stand-off with Iran. He said the warships would be delivered unarmed.

[RC one]

Now would be a good time to sell Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania some of our toys.

[monday]

French aircraft carriers go insanely over budget and break down all the time, French submarines don't submerge. Maybe this is a plan by NATO to sabotage the Russian Navy?

[kawaii]

The more i read about this the more i get the impression France gets some cash and Russia get’s to kick sand in the face of a few countries that with 4000 of these couldn’t do much damage to Russia while not doing anything at all to really raise hairs against countries that might actually have a grudge with Russia.