Russia: Putin concerned over Ukraine's $25 billion unpaid debt

Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced his concern on Wednesday that billions of dollars of Russian loans to Ukraine might not be repaid, during a meeting with high ranking Russian Federation officials in Moscow, Wednesday. Putin pointed out that Moscow was well within in its rights to demand early repayment of the $24-25 billion (€21.6 - 22.5 billion) in credit given Ukraine's financial situation. However, according to the Russian leader, both Kiev and the IMF urged Moscow not to follow that course. The government agreed not to insist Kiev return the cash because it did not want to "aggravate the difficult economic situation of our partners and neighbours." The statement was made after the Verkhovna Rada passed a bill allowing the government to declare a moratorium on paying foreign commercial debt.