France has delivered military equipment to Russia until 2020 under previous Crimea contracts

Europe 1 with AFP 8:58 p.m., March 14, 2022, modified at 8:58 p.m., March 14, 2022

France delivered military equipment to Russia between 2015 and 2020, so after the European sanctions following the annexation of Crimea, under previous contracts, according to the online media Disclose, while the government defends itself from all breach.

"According to 'confidential-defense' documents obtained by Disclose and information from open sources, France has issued at least 76 export licenses for war material to Russia since 2015," the online media said on Monday. .

"Total amount of these contracts: 152 million euros, as indicated by the latest report to Parliament on arms exports", specifies Disclose, which has distinguished itself several times by publishing information on arms sales. French.

A contract concluded before annexation, according to France

"France strictly complies with its international commitments, in particular the Arms Trade Treaty and the EU's common position", reacted on Twitter the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Armed Forces, Hervé Grandjean.

Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, the European Union has imposed an arms embargo, but France has continued to supply equipment under contracts signed before that date.

The Ministry of the Armed Forces is today implicated by an investigation by @Disclose_ngo, which relates to deliveries of military equipment to Russia.

Let's be clear and precise.

Thread to unroll ⬇️

– Spokesperson for the Ministry of the Armed Forces (@HerveGrandjean) March 14, 2022

"France has allowed the execution of certain contracts signed since 2014 under the so-called 'grandfather' clause: a contract concluded before the annexation of Crimea can come to an end, and the deliveries of equipment purchased before July 2014 can be prosecuted. This possibility is clearly provided for by the sanctions regime put in place against Russia in 2014", according to Hervé Grandjean.

Materials potentially used for the war in Ukraine

Among the materials delivered are thermal cameras to equip armored vehicles, according to Disclose, which adds that these materials can be used by the Russian army in Ukraine.

French industry has also delivered navigation systems and imaging systems for helicopters to the Russian Air Force, according to the media.