21 July 2014
MEDIA RELEASE
Ukrainian World Congress urges France to refuse to sell Mistral navy ships to Russia
The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) urges France to demonstrate its understanding of the far-reaching implications of the crisis in Ukraine by terminating its agreement to sell Mistral-class assault ships to Russia, officially recognized by the international community as a military aggressor and occupier.
The Mistral is a powerful military ship that can transport up to 16 helicopters, 4 landing craft, 60 armed vehicles and 700 troops.
The United States and the European Union, with their further sanctions of 16 July 2014, sent Russia a clear message on the consequences of violating international commitments and escalating its brutal aggression in Ukraine. Russia immediately threatened sanctions of its own.
Then, on 17 July 2014, pro-Russian terrorists destroyed a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 295 passengers from various countries on board.
The real threat being posed by Russia to global security is clear and the Mistral-class assault ships will only serve to further Russia’s imperialist ambitions.
“The Ukrainian World Congress urges France to refrain from empowering Russia to escalate conflicts at a time when the international community is calling on Russia to de-escalate its aggression, particularly in Eastern Ukraine,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
