Putin says will show 'understanding' over French warships French President Francois Hollande on Saturday became the first European leader to fly to Russia in an attempt to defuse the standoff with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, where the latest round of peace talks will take place next week. Putin said France must honour a contract to deliver two huge warships worth $1.5 billion (1.2 billion euros) or return the money. France had agreed to deliver the ships to the Russian navy prior to Moscow's annexation of Crimea in March. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES of Putin speaking after meeting with Hollande.