Pine-tree politics take hold as Moscow and Paris tussle over warship deal

Russia delivers a Christmas tree to Notre Dame cathedral in 'goodwill gesture' doubted by some in France

The Christmas tree in front of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris
The Christmas tree in front of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris Credit: Photo: Jacques Brinon/AP

Russia and France may be tussling over the delivery of military supplies – and the small matter of a war in Europe – but the Kremlin is not above a magnanimous yuletide gesture.

That was Moscow’s line this week, at least, as it handed over a mammoth pine tree to the cash-strapped Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.

The gift followed an appeal to foreign embassies by Monsignor Patrick Jacquin, the rector of Notre Dame. He found the cathedral and localtraders could not afford a Christmas tree after the price tag doubledto 80,000 euros (£64,000) this season.

Russia’s embassy quickly stepped in and offered to bring a fine specimen thousands of miles overland to the French capital.

“Santa Claus” – who bore a strong resemblance to Russian embassy spokesperson Sergei Parinov - presided at a ceremony to switch on the pine’s lights outside the cathedral on Saturday, saying: "I myself have chosen this tree from my forests."

Despite the bonhomie, there were suspicions that Russia’s gift was more a soft-power demarche than an entirely selfless act of kindness.

Alexander Orlov, Russia’s ambassador to France, made a pointed speech at the unveiling of the 25-metre high tree, telling onlookers: “We want to show by this gesture, that despite the efforts to isolate Russia, the friendship between our two countries is so strong and deep that no politics can destroy it."

Tensions between Paris and Moscow increased this week after France decided to suspend indefinitely delivery of the first of two Mistral helicopter carriers, citing Russia’s involvement in the civil war in eastern Ukraine.

The Kremlin says it may sue if the $1.6bn £1bn) deal is not honoured eventually, and one Russian MP suggested to ban sales of French wine in retaliation.

Some French politicians already have reason to suspect Russia’s motives.

In a more divisive move than the pine-tree politics, it emerged this week that the Moscow-based First Czech Russian Bank had issued a 9m euro loan to France’s controversial far-right party, the FrontNational.