Mistral deal: Why did the Russian sailors return home?

The Voice of Russia, citing information from the Quest-France newspaper, reported that 400 Russian sailors will celebrate the New Year in Russia, not in France as Moscow had previously planned.

According to the latest plan, before December 25, 2014, the sailors will leave the port of Saint-Nazaire on the training ship Smolny, which brought them to France on June 30 of this year.

This information contradicts previous information received by these sailors. Speaking to the French press, these sailors stated that they had mentally prepared to celebrate the New Year on board the Mistral. "Everything is fine, we are well provided for, and we are mentally prepared to celebrate the New Year here, on this Vladivostok ship," said one Russian sailor.

The Mistral is anchored in Saint-Nazaire port.

Previously, Moscow officials also asserted that these sailors would only leave when accompanied by the Mistral Vladivostok, regardless of whether their French visas had expired. Moscow would force Paris to extend their visas.

Recently, information has also emerged from Paris alleging that among these 400 sailors are elite soldiers from the Russian Marine Corps, who came to France on a mission to protect and defend the ship.

Those reports indicated that the Russians were prepared to stick with the Mistral until the ship was delivered; however, the latest information published on the Voice of Russia radio station, as mentioned above, shows that all plans have changed. This change is considered surprising to those who were following the high-profile Mistral deal.

Even more noteworthy is that this new plan was announced after French President Francois Hollande had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 17th. They discussed issues in Ukraine, agreed to promote a ceasefire in the country, and talked about further opportunities for cooperation between the two sides.

It seems that these negotiations have seen some openness, even a new agreement, and the Russians are beginning to ease the pressure they have been putting on France.

The first "Mistral," named "Vladivostok," was launched in October 2013. In September 2014, it underwent sea trials with Russian sailors on board. The second "Mistral," named "Sevastopol," was scheduled for delivery in 2015. Currently, France states that it is on schedule, but the possibility of delivery remains uncertain, depending on the situation in Ukraine.

On November 25, 2014, French President Francois Hollande officially suspended the handover of the first of two "Mistral" ships to Russia, the "Vladivostok." He explained his decision by saying that "the necessary conditions had not yet been met" and that there had not been appropriate behavior from a major power in the crisis in Ukraine.

According to Dat Viet Newspaper