Russia Warns Kyiv Against Default on Debt Payment
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The statement comes shortly after Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk urged lawmakers to support a package of draft laws on restructuring of Ukraine’s state debt and urged Moscow to write off part of the debt to Russia.
“Our position remains unchanged. Ukraine must repay its debt to Russia acquired in December 2013,” the statement said.
According to the statement, Ukraine will be “much better off if it pays the debt to Russia now because the default on payment will be significantly more costly,” as Kyiv will have to cover court fees and penalties for payment delays.
Russia holds $3-billion Ukrainian Eurobonds, due to mature by the end of 2015.