The postponed delivery of the first of two French warships to Russia has prompted opposing demonstrations.<br /><br />The French government announced the delay of the sale of the Mistral on the day before the NATO summit, over concerns about Russian policy towards Ukraine. <br /><br />Protesters gathered at the shipyard where the vessel was built at Saint Nazaire on the west coast. <br /><br />Those in favour of delivery say they are concerned for the economic future of the port.<br /><br />But others likened the delivery to handing a weapon to an assassin. <br /><br />Despite the agreement on a ceasefire President Hollande has said the conditions for France to deliver the warship are not yet in place. <br /><br />But the government has been careful not to entirely rule out the possibility of the sale going ahead in the future.
