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IMF answer to Russian proposal on Ukraine debt restructuring positive — presidential aide

At the same time, Ukrainian side has not officially replied to Russia’s offer on $3 bln debt restructuring yet

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. The first response of IMF and a number of foreign partners to the Russian proposal on Ukraine’s debt restructuring was positive, the Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on Friday. The issue requires further consideration by experts and Moscow expects it will be prompt, Ushakov said.

"The first response followed negotiations held our president with IMF chief Christine Lagard and certain foreign partners. The first response was positive. Everyone noted this initiative requires further examination by experts and we hope this will be done promptly," the presidential aide noted.

Moscow suggested postponing repayment of Ukraine’s debt for 2016-2018 with installments of $1 bln per year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier during the G20 summit in Turkey.

At the same time, Ukrainian side has not officially replied to Russia’s offer on $3 bln debt restructuring yet, Ushakov noted.

He said he’s familiar with the statement made by the country’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on refusal to repay $3 bln to Russia. "I only hear media reports on Ukraine’s statement though (there has been) no official reply yet," Ushakov said when answering the question whether Moscow has received any official response on the offer voiced by the Russian President Vladimir Putin on debt restructuring from Kiev.