MOSCOW, September 22. /TASS/. The second stage of Russia’s bond issuance has been planned and is not replacing privatization, Economic Development Minister Aleksey Ulyukayev said Thursday.

"Those are absolutely different tracks, we’ve always said that the second stage of bond issuance means exhaustion of the $3 bln quota," he said, adding that "it does not replace the decision on privatization of big assets."

 The Russian Finance Ministry confirmed additional placement of Eurobonds for $1.25 bln maturing in 2026.

"We confirm additional placement of Eurobonds," the press service said. The additional issue of Eurobonds maturing in in 2026 will amount to $1.25 bln. VTB Capital once again is acting as a placement agent.

In May of this year, the Finance Ministry for the first time since 2013 has placed the first tranche of sovereign Eurobonds. As a result, the volume of the sold securities amounted to $1.75 bln with demand for $7 bln.

The Finance Ministry noted at the time, that more than 140 investors applied for purchasing new Russian Eurobonds, 55% of them are banks.

According to the Finance Ministry the main part of the issue (75%) was bought out by foreign investors from the UK, France, Switzerland, Asia and the US. The share of Russian banks, asset management companies and organizations that provide brokerage services, accounted for 25%.

New national infrastructure-based offering structure was tested during placement of Russian Eurobonds, the Finance Ministry said. Nevertheless, the Ministry will continue to work with Euroclear and Clearstream.

"New national infrastructure-based offering structure was tested during placement of Russian Eurobonds. The Russian Ministry of Finance will continue active cooperation with Euroclear and Clearstream in order to complete the procedures for the conformity assessment of the new issue with the requirements to allow unhindered secondary circulation of bonds through these international clearing systems," the Ministry said.

On May 24, Russia’s Finance Ministry placed sovereign Eurobonds, first time since 2013. Securities for $1.75 bln in total were sold, while the demand was at $7 bln.

VTB Capital was selected as a sole organizer of the placement.