The rumors of the ship purchase have fueled concern in Georgia and other ex-Soviet nations that Russia may use the ship to strong-arm its neighbors. ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — A French navy ship of the type that Russia hopes to buy has arrived for a visit to St. Petersburg.

The Mistral amphibious assault ship dockedNov. 23on the Neva River downtown, close to the Hermitage museum.

Russian officials are considering buying a Mistral ship and a license to build several others. It would mark the first such purchase from a NATO country.

The rumors of the deal have fueled concern in Georgia and other ex-Soviet nations that Russia may use the ship to strong-arm its neighbors.

The Mistral, which is capable of carrying more than a dozen helicopters along with dozens of tanks and other armored vehicles, is fit for missions intended to project Russian power.