Is The U.S. 'Blackmailing' France To Scrap It's Contract To Sell Mistral Warships To Russia?

Putin Says U.S. Blackmailed France Over Mistral With BNP Fine -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of blackmailing France to scrap a contract to sell Russia Mistral warships by offering to cut a record $8.97 billion fine against BNP Paribas SA. (BNP)

“We know about the pressure which our U.S. partners are applying on France not to supply the Mistrals to Russia,” Putin told Russian diplomats in Moscow today. “And we even know that they hinted that if the French don’t deliver the Mistrals, they would quietly get rid of the sanctions against the bank, or at least minimize them,” he said without naming BNP Paribas.

“What is that if not blackmail?” Putin said.

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My Comment: Zero Hedge's analysis is a must read. As to what is my take .... Putin has a tendency to exaggerate his personal opinions on international affairs .... but he also does not. But on this case I must admit that I am not sure. I do know that everything that happens in Washington today .... and specifically in the US Justice Department .... is political .... so Putin may be right. But it is also true that BNP Paribas did violate US law .... and they are exposed to a heavy fine. I say .... give it some time and see what happens next.