MOSCOW, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian presidential aide said Tuesday he did not rule out the purchase of a blocking stake in the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) by Vneshtorgbank, Russia's state-run foreign trade bank.
"If we are ever in a position to determine our joint economic interests, then we will insist on at least a blocking stake," Sergei Prikhodko said, commenting on the bank's purchase of a 5% stake in EADS for $1 billion.
He said it was mainly an economic deal.
VTB informed EADS late Friday that it acquired 5.02% of its capital, but the respected Russian daily Vedomosti reported the purchase in late August.
The bank's move follows a 26% fall in EADS' market capitalization in mid-June, when the company announced a delay in delivering the Airbus A-380.
EADS holds an 80% stake in Airbus, a 10% stake in Russian aerospace holding Irkut, and other assets.
