Putin Seeks Paris Landmark as Hollandes Russia Ties Defy Obama

A stones throw from the Eiffel Tower and Pariss famed Alexandre III bridge, Russias Vladimir Putin is putting his mark on the French capital.

Construction of a new Russian Orthodox church with five golden domes in central Paris gets under way in the next few weeks, with U.S. and European efforts to slam Putins Russia for its incursions into Ukraine doing little to halt its progress. The yet-to-be-named church is being built on a plot of land sold in 2010 to Russia by the French state for 73 million euros ($99 million). The deal was sealed by Former President Nicolas Sarkozy. His successor Francois Hollandes government says its determined to see the monument erected.

While less controversial than Frances decision to go ahead with the sale of two warships to the former Cold War foe at the risk of displeasing the U.S. and other allies, the churchs construction is yet another indication of Frances complicated relationship with Russia. France, which is struggling to rebound from two years with barely any growth and record joblessness, needs business from Russia. Frances exports to Russia have risen fourfold since 2000 to 7 billion euros last year.

The deal is done, Russia is the owner of that land, Eric Woerth, who was Sarkozys budget minister and signed the deal in March 2010, said in a telephone interview. Its not in Frances interest to mess up things with Russia; nor with the U.S., for that matter. Yes, its a fine line.

Former Budget Minister Eric Woerth said, The deal is done, Russia is the owner of that land. Close

Former Budget Minister Eric Woerth said, The deal is done, Russia is the owner of that land.

Close

Former Budget Minister Eric Woerth said, The deal is done, Russia is the owner of that land.

As the crisis in Ukraine escalated -- resulting in Russias annexation of Crimea -- the French lowered the profile of the project that will raise Russian Orthodox crosses as high as 117 feet in the Paris sky. A spring ceremony to lay the first stone in the presence of Putin was quietly canceled, an official in Hollandes office said.

France has annoyed the U.S. and other allies by deciding not to suspend the delivery of the two helicopter-carrier Mistral warships to the Russian Navy, whose members arrive on Frances Atlantic shores this month for their first training.

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Putin Seeks Paris Landmark as Hollandes Russia Ties Defy Obama