Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Paris yesterday for a series of talks with French leaders and to open a big exhibition, but a row over a warship sale could put a damper on the fete.
Mr Putin said in an interview on the eve of his visit that a deal on the Mistral-class assault ship, now under negotiation for more than five months, is possible only if the vessel comes equipped with cutting-edge technology.
France has said it will not lump sophisticated radar systems and other sensitive technology into the deal, which would be the first sale of advanced military hardware by a Nato member to Russia.
"For us, this deal is interesting only if it is accomplished with a parallel transfer of technology," Mr Putin said.
The warship deal was expected to figure prominently in talks during a meeting scheduled late yesterday evening between Mr Putin and Prime Minister François Fillon and with President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Mr Putin was also due to meet on Friday with France's ex-president Jacques Chirac, his former counterpart, and with Christophe de Margerie, head of the French oil giant Total, aides and the company said.
Two major French energy companies are involved in Russian-led projects to bring gas to Europe: EDF in the South Stream gas pipeline and GDF in another known as North Stream.
Also today, Mr Putin will inaugurate a five-day exhibition showcasing cultural and economic ties between France and Russia at the Grand Palais, a prime venue off the Champs Elysees.
The giant fair will display Russian industrial and technological clout, such as the latest Sukhoi fighter jets and prototypes of new Avtovaz cars, as part of a year-long Franco-Russian festival.
The Prime Minister is leading a delegation of top businessmen from Russian aerospace, energy and transport who will be sounding out prospects for new partnerships during a series of round-table discussions.
Mr Putin last held talks in France in November and President Dmitry Medvedev was warmly received during a state visit in March that yielded a string of deals in energy, transport, aeronautics and aerospace.
The countries also cooperated in pushing through fresh sanctions this week against Iran over its suspect nuclear programme.