France has resisted international criticism over the sale of warships to Russia
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This is a deal worth €1.2 billion to France - not to mention the jobs.
But it sorely undermines France's position - they've been one of the countries pushing Germany to take a tougher line with Russia over the recent unrest in eastern Ukraine.
President Obama has made his feelings clear. "It would have been preferable," he said, "to press the pause button".
The Hollande government says the current sanctions agreement doesn't cover military hardware and the contract, signed by President Sarkozy's government in 2011, is too expensive to cancel.
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extremely, very much
makes (someone or something) less confident or effective
to deal with someone or something in a stricter or firmer way
fighting or violent behviour by people who are protesting against something
to stop doing something for a short time (as if pressing 'pause' on a TV remote control)
equipment, tools, machines and vehicles used in a particular area, for example, the military
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