Russia's interest in the Mistral: the political and military aspects
Russia's interest in the Mistral: the political and military aspects

Author(s): Piotr Żochowski
Subject(s): Security and defense, Military policy, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: OSW Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich im. Marka Karpia
Keywords: Russia; Mistral; military policy
Summary/Abstract: The negotiations over Russia's purchase of French Mistral-class multipurpose assault ships, which were intensified in 2010, have gained a significant political dimension. The prospects of such a spectacular acquisition of large and expensive assault ships from one of NATO’s member states are being used by Russia to demonstrate that it has opened a new stage of relations with Western Europe. Paris has welcomed Russia's desire to embark on military cooperation; for France, the Mistral deal has become a convenient tool to prove that relations with Russia are becoming increasingly normal, and that Russia poses no threat to the European security.

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