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European Commission caps funds for Ukraine at €790 million

The European Commission has not decided on funding to settle Ukrainian debt, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said earlier

© AP Photo/Yves Logghe

BRUSSELS, October 24. /TASS/. The European Commission (EC) has capped lending to Ukraine at €790 million ($1 billion), Wall Street Journal's online version reported on Friday, citing a statement from EC President Jose Manuel Barroso to leaders of 28 EU states meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

The maximum available is half the sum Ukraine now wants from Brussels, mostly to cover debt for Russian gas.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's debts mount. Moscow loaned Kiev $3 billion last year. Ukraine owes another $1.4 billion for gas supplied in November and December last year, $500 million is unpaid for the first quarter of 2014 and no payment has been made for April, May and June.

“How much does this make? Already $10 billion. We cannot deliver credit any longer, this is impossible,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin recently in Milan, urging Europeans “to take some risk” in helping Ukraine's economy. “Let Europeans also take some risks,” the Russian president said.

The European Commission has not decided on funding to settle Ukrainian debt, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak announced. “We believe that possible sources are guarantees from first-class European banks, bridge loans, funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Commission,” the minister said.

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Ukraine crisis Ukraine European Commission Financial aid

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