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Russia’s Finance Minister: Out-of-court settlement of Ukraine’s debt hardly possible

December 20 is the deadline for Ukraine to repay the loan, and there is only four days left, Anton Siluanov notes
Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov  Anna Isakova/Russian State Duma Press Office/TASS
Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov
© Anna Isakova/Russian State Duma Press Office/TASS

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. The out-of-court settlement of Ukraine’s debt is hardly possible in four remaining days, Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday.

"We are open for cooperation but today is December 16, therefore it is hardly possible in technical terms," Siluanov said. December 20 is the deadline for Ukraine to repay the loan.

The Finance Ministry expects a confirmation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the official status of Ukraine’s debt to Moscow later on Wednesday, the Minister added.

"Today the IMF should take a decision regarding the debt’s status. The Russian Federation has submitted a respective request to the IMF," Finance Minister Siluanov said.

TASS reported earlier the International Monetary Fund lifted the ban on lending to nations with past-due sovereign debts. The decision particularly means the IMF will continue implementing its anti-crisis program for Ukraine even in case Kiev defaults on its debts to Russia.

Russia can apply to the international arbitration if Kiev does not repay the loan on December 20 and following the expiry of an additional 10-days out-of-court settlement period.