Ukraine may renew calls for a multi-billion-dollar loan from Russia to cover holes in its budget and pay off debts, a Russian respected daily said on Friday, quoting government sources in both countries.
Ukraine asked Russia last year to consider granting it a $5 billion loan to cover its budget deficit. But Moscow rejected the request mainly because of its hostility to the then pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko.
On February 25, Yushchenko handed over to new President Viktor Yanukovych, who is widely seen as having more "pro-Russian" policies. Yanukovych has already installed his ally, Mykola Azarov, as premier, and the new Ukrainian government is also expected to seek better ties with Russia.
The Kommersant daily said that Kiev expected Moscow to actively participate in bailing out the Ukrainian economy, badly hit by the global economic crisis, and was planning to negotiate with Russia lower gas prices and the allocation of "substantial" financial aid in the form of a loan or large investments.
A Ukrainian Foreign ministry source told Kommersant that the country could need some $3 billion.
A Russian Foreign ministry source said the issue of financial aid had been already raised during Yanukovych's visit to Moscow on March 5, but that Kiev had yet to make an official request. He added that Russia was ready to invest in certain projects in Ukraine, such as the construction of Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant.
The Ukrainian source said the country was ready to accompany Russia on many issues, such as reducing its military cooperation with Georgia and the 2017 date for the Black Sea Fleet to leave its Crimea base.
MOSCOW, March 12 (RIA Novosti)
