Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will honor its obligations to lend Ukraine 15 billion U.S. dollars, even if the country's opposition forms the next government. Speaking during a press conference in Brussels, he also said Russia had no intention of revising its agreement to reduce gas prices.
"Regarding our readiness to help Ukraine, we proceed from the position that the loan we mentioned, and the reduction of energy prices and gas prices for Ukraine, derives not from the decision to support a specific government, but the Ukrainian people," Putin said at the press conference, "we will not review our agreements on loans and the energy sector, if the opposition takes power."
But shortly after Putin's announcement, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Shuvalov, said Russia and Ukraine still had no agreement on the second installment of the loan.
In December, Russia agreed on credits and cheaper gas for Kiev to help its fellow former Soviet republic meet huge debt payments.
On Monday, the Ukrainian government said it was issuing two billion U.S. dollars in Eurobonds to Russia on the same terms as in December. That brought the total amount borrowed to five billion dollars.
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