France has still not decided on whether it will deliver warship to Russia or refund it

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and French President Francois Hollande speak during their meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, Friday, April 24, 2015. The presidents of Russia and France joined other leaders Friday at ceremonies commemorating the massacre of Armenians a century ago by Ottoman Turks, an event which still stirs bitter feelings as both sides argue over whether to call it genocide. (Davit Hakobyan/Presidential Press Service, PAN Photo Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and French President Francois Hollande shake hands during their meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, Friday, April 24, 2015. (Davit Hakobyan/Presidential Press Service, PAN Photo Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

YEREVAN, Armenia – French President Francois Hollande says he has still not decided on whether France will deliver a Mistral-class warship to Russia amid growing speculation that he could choose to refund it.

France suspended the delivery "until further notice" last year because of the conflict in Ukraine.

A top French diplomatic official earlier this week said France has started negotiating refund payments in order to avoid paying financial penalties. He spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to disclose details of the negotiations.

However, following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Armenia Friday, Hollande said the issue was still unresolved.

The Mistral-class helicopter carrier was part of a 1.2 billion euro ($1.28 billion) deal that was supposed to be the biggest arms sale ever by a NATO country to Russia.