French President Francois Hollande delays delivery of warship to Russia

France yesterday pushed back "until further notice" the delivery of a controversial warship to Russia because of the Ukraine crisis, sparking a measured initial response from Moscow.

President Francois Hollande said in a statement that the "current situation in eastern Ukraine still does not allow for the delivery of the first" of two Mistral-class vessels France has built for Russia. "He therefore decided to delay until further notice" the decision on whether to grant the export licence needed to deliver the ship to Russia, the statement added.

Russia has reportedly warned Paris of "serious" consequences unless France delivers the first of the two Mistral-class helicopter carriers by the end of this month.

But Moscow's reaction was relatively calm after Hollande's announcement, with Deputy Defence Minister Yury Borisov saying Russia did not immediately intend to file a claim against France for breach of contract.

"We'll wait patiently... So far we are not filing a claim anywhere," Borisov told RIA Novosti news agency.

The first of the two assault ships - which can carry 16 helicopters, four landing craft, 13 tanks, 450 soldiers and a hospital - was supposed to be delivered earlier this month, according to the original deal signed in 2011.