Letter to Francois Hollande, President of France - Regarding Warship Delivery to Russia

Letter

Dear President Hollande:

Your state visit to the United States in February highlighted the strong bilateral ties between our two countries and our shared vision for freedom, peace, and security. Since your visit, Russia's aggression toward Ukraine and other neighboring states has challenged the international community to take a principled stand against those who wish to disrupt the international rule of law and the rights of sovereign nations. We thank you for your strong statements publicly condemning these belligerent acts by the Russian Federation.

In light of the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine and illegal annexation of Crimea, we are writing specifically to urge you to cancel the delivery of two Mistral-class warships to the Russian Navy and end all cooperation on future construction. These military warships are designed explicitly for the type of invasion that occurred in Ukraine. Any further arms sales from the French government to the Russian military would enhance Russia's power projection, ability to intimidate neighboring countries, and illegally seize sovereign territory. We fully appreciate that cancelling such contracts may have consequences; similarly, we are urging our own government to suspend its agreements with the Russian defense contractor Rosoboronexport.

Together we must send an unwavering message to the Russian Federation that its actions constitute a direct violation of international law and will not be tolerated. We ask that you join us in demonstrating to President Putin, by suspending arms deals with his government, that our nations will not be complicit in altering borders by force. The outcome in Ukraine is critically important to the credibility of free, democratic nations. Again, we thank you for your leadership on this issue.

Sincerely,

CHRISTOPHER MURPHY
United States Senator

RON JOHNSON
United States Senator

RICHARD DURBIN
United States Senator

JEANNE SHAHEEN
United States Senator

AMY KLOBUCHAR
United States Senator

EDWARD MARKEY
United States Senator