MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Kiev is ready to "vigorously" defend its interests in court over a $3-billion debt to Moscow, the Ukrainian Finance Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
26 January 2016, 11:05 GMT
On Wednesday, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said that Moscow had filed a lawsuit against Kiev on Ukraine's debt, demanding to pay back the Eurobond's $3-billion principal and unpaid $75-million December 2015 coupon, as well as interest starting from December 20, 2015 — the bond's maturity date.
"Ukraine has the intention and is fully prepared to vigorously defend its interests regarding the Eurobonds in the English court," the statement read.
17 February 2016, 20:59 GMT
Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Kiev viewed an unpaid $3-billion as a "bribe" to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, whose government secured the debt in late 2013.
Russia has repeatedly warned Ukraine about Moscow's plans to sue Kiev and to claim the debt in full, as well as any related expenses.
