REUTERS
Ukraine's debt in the amount of $3 billion is not subject to restructuring, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Alexei Ulyukayev told the reporters on Friday, according to an UNIAN correspondent in Russia.
"The time is coming - it is December when the obligations must be fulfilled. I believe that this is an indisputable obligation, which is not subject to any restructuring," Ulyukayev said.
According to him, the situation in Ukraine is very complicated, so "participation of IMF programs in cooperation with the European Union" is possible.
"After all, they must show concern for the Ukrainian people, not only with words but also with actions," he said.
At the same time, he said that the trade turnover between Ukraine and Russia is rapidly declining. According to the minister, this is caused by the recession in Russian and Ukrainian economies, as well as by the interruption of economic ties.
"The Ukrainian authorities have taken a large number of hostile actions, there are more than 40 laws adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, which are aimed at discrimination of our business, operating in Ukraine or having cooperation ties with this country, and it is not easy for our banks in Ukraine now," he said.
Ulyukayev also said that the recent "unfriendly actions" by Ukraine were directed against Russian air and rail carriers.
UNIAN memo. On December 17, 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the then Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych agreed that Russia would lend $15 billion in exchange for Ukrainian sovereigns. The first tranche of the loan in the amount of $3 billion was provided to Ukraine late in December 2013. Further tranches were not allocated. The $3 billion disbursement was included in private creditor debt, and thus it is subject to restructuring.