German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the French government to halt the supply of Mistral amphibious assault ships to Russian after a recent Malaysia Airlines plane crash in eastern Ukraine.
The US state department, on several occasions has criticised France for planning to deliver two warships to Russia despite its actions in Ukraine.
US spokeswoman Jen Psaki told press in Washington on May 12 that "we have expressed our concerns to the French government over the sale. We'll continue to do so".
She added: "Obviously, as you know, there are sanctions that have been put in place. I'd have to specifically check here to see if there's a legal question or if this is just a question of whether we find this to be unhelpful."
France still intend to finish and sell two Mistral class amphibious warship (above) to Russia, along with advanced military technology
For its part, until this moment, France has ruled out an arms embargo on Russia even if it invades eastern Ukraine or disrupts its May 25 presidential elections.
The Mistral assault ships were sold to Russia for €1.2 billion shortly after its war with Georgia in 2008.
A Russian admiral later said he could have won the conflict in "40 minutes instead of 26 hours" if he had had them earlier.
A French official told Reuters in May the first of the vessels will be delivered to Russia as planned in the fourth quarter of this year. "The contract has been paid and there would be financial penalties for not delivering it," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel up to this moment supported French Government stand.
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