‘France will not hand over the first of two state-of-the-art warships built for the Russians until Moscow halts its military action in Ukraine, the Elysée Palace has announced.

The Vladivostok has been undergoing sea trials with a Russian crew in the French Atlantic port of Saint-Nazaire and was due to be officially delivered this month.

However, Paris announced that the deal, which was opposed by the US and Russia’s Baltic neighbours and put on hold during the Ukraine crisis, was suspended until further notice.’

Read more: France suspends warships deal with Russia over Ukraine crisis