Conditions Not Right to Deliver Warship to Russia: France

France’s foreign minister Tuesday said the conditions were not right to deliver a high-tech warship to Russia given the Ukraine crisis, as pressure from Moscow grows to hand over the vessel.

Russia has reportedly warned Paris of “serious” consequences unless France delivers the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers on order by the end of November.

But Fabius declined to comment on when the exact deadline was, saying it was “fixed by the contract” without giving more details.

The first of two mammoth Mistral-class assault ships was supposed to be delivered earlier this month according to the original deal signed in 2011.

But amid this year’s Ukraine crisis and the rapid decline in the West’s relations with Russia, France has come under intense pressure from its allies, particularly the United States, and in September postponed the delivery.